Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Paragraph: 122
We note that Professor Chris Whitty has said that the testing of asymptomatic staff may...
Conclusion
We note that Professor Chris Whitty has said that the testing of asymptomatic staff may be necessary in the future and that if there is a “surge in winter” of coronavirus cases then he would be likely to advise that routine testing of NHS staff should take place. However, we are concerned that contrary to this advice, routine testing of asymptomatic NHS staff appears not to have been introduced where the virus is already surging in the North East and the North West, perhaps due to capacity constraints.
Paragraph Reference:
122
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government recognises the concerns of the Committee and eminent scientists who advise that not testing NHS staff routinely could lead to higher levels of nosocomial infections in any second spike. Routine asymptomatic testing is an important component of the measures to protect NHS staff, patients and visitors from COVID-19 infection.