Last updated on January 4th, 2022 at 03:32 pm
Please remember to check the Staff Covid Website (password STHKcovid19) for all the latest Covid related guidance and information.
In today’s update:
- ASYMPTOMATIC STAFF TESTING
- VACCINATION FOR STAFF VISITING CARE HOMES
ASYMPTOMATIC STAFF TESTING
All staff are encouraged to take part in asymptomatic testing as this can protect yourself, patients, your friends and family. Please see below for the different testing methods available.
- LAMP – STAFF SALIVA COVID-19 TEST
The Trust’s main form of asymptomatic staff testing is LAMP. This test involves providing a sample of saliva twice a week and is therefore less invasive than the LFD test.
Please note LAMP has now changed to twice weekly testing. All staff taking part are now advised to collect two samples per week.
Staff who test positive on LAMP should isolate and inform their line manager. A positive LAMP result does not require a confirmatory PCR test.
For further information, please visit: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/lamp-testing/ (password: STHKcovid19)
Or email: LAMP@sthk.nhs.uk
- Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Testing
Staff who do not wish to take part in LAMP testing have the option of LFD. The Trust no longer supplies LFD kits to staff for routine testing but they can be ordered via the government website at:
https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
When ordering please ensure you answer the following questions:
- Do you work for the NHS in England and take part in their staff testing programme? Yes
- Select the area you work. Acute (hospital) trust
- What’s the name of the NHS trust? St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Staff who test positive on LFD should isolate, inform their line manager and contact the self-isolation team to arrange a PCR test.
For further information, please visit: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/lateral-flow-device-lfd-testing/ (password: STHKcovid19)
VACCINATION FOR STAFF VISITING CARE HOMES
It is Government policy that ALL NHS and Council staff visiting care homes must be able to provide proof that they have been double vaccinated (at least) against COVID-19.
Care homes across our boroughs now require each individual staff member to show their COVID-19 vaccination status on each attendance.
We therefore need any staff who visit care homes take the following steps:
- If you have a mobile phone (whether that be personal or work) which has the ability to download the NHS App, you can display your Covid vaccination status through this means.
- Otherwise,
- If you do not want to use your personal phone, please send a copy of your covid vaccination to your work email from the NHS App.
Print this off and laminate it. It needs to be laminated so that you can wipe it clean in line with infection prevention rules.
Laminators can be found in most bases including, Newton Hospital, Alex Park, Fingerpost, Lowe House, Garswood and Whiston Hospital. - If you do not have a work / personal mobile phone that supports NHS App, please download your vaccination status from the NHS website and either email it to yourself or ask for a copy by post.
Visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/get-digital-covid-pass/ for more information
If you are struggling to follow the above steps, please contact your clinical team manager.
If you are finding it difficult to locate your vaccination status for other reasons, please contact your operational manager who will support resolving this for you.