Testing, Testing, Testing

Care England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, has welcomed the latest announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care regarding weekly testing for staff in care homes for older people.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:

“Regular and routine testing is absolutely critical if we are to garner a better understanding and keep at bay this dreadful virus which has had such a devastating impact on care homes. This initiative needs to be rolled out to all care homes, including those adults with learning disabilities and also supported living”.

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced today that staff working in care homes for people over 65 years old will be eligible to have weekly testing. This builds on an initial commitment for one off whole home testing.

Martin Green continues:

“Testing is not a one off activity, in order for it to be meaningful it needs to be regular thus we welcome this measure as a step forward. Staff and residents can be asymptomatic yet testing shows that they are positive hence the need for testing, testing and yet more testing to get a handle on this virus”.