Ann McGauran 26 October 2020

Barking & Dagenham offers same-day testing to key workers

Barking & Dagenham LBC is thought to have become the first in England to set up a same-day COVID testing service for key workers, to sidestep delays in the national system for tests and results.

The council has said it decided to act because of concerns about delays at the NHS testing centres in the borough. NHS testing centres are run by 40 private and public companies, overseen by Deloitte.

Speaking to The Guardian, council leader Darren Rodwell said delays in people getting tested and receiving results caused problems in care homes, schools and among frontline workers, with those having to self-isolate  while they waiting for others to have a test having a significant impact on the delivery of council services.

Cllr Rodwell said that one resident had contacted the council to say they had been told there was an eight-day wait to get a test at one site in the borough.

He told the newspaper: ‘Some of these tests take forever and then we have to do things like get in supply teachers while teachers are self-isolating, not knowing if they have been in contact with an infected person or not. That can be expensive.’

The council is writing to about 7,000 key workers to let them know that from November they can take part in a six-week pilot testing scheme running up to Christmas at a former council depot. The council is also working on contact-tracing, along with a number of other councils including Sandwell, Preston and Hull.

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Procurement Category Manager

Wakefield Council
£49,764.00 to £52,805.00, Grade 12
Do you want to become a member of a successful Corporate Procurement Team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recovery Support Worker

Wakefield Council
Grade 7 - Grade 8, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Join a first of its kind specialist children’s home that has just been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted 2 years running. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Children's Residential Worker

Wakefield Council
£31,067.00 - £33,366.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
We are looking for a Full Time Children's Residential Workers to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £37,035 per annum
Are you a Maintenance Operative looking to further develop your skills and experience Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Bricklayer Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £30,559
Are you a qualified Bricklayer looking to expand your skills in a rewarding maintenance role? Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner