Covid Testing, Wellbeing Webinar And Vacancies

20 April 2022

We have 3 items for you today:

1. Free Lateral Flow Tests for Staff To Continue
   
   NHSE&I have issued an urgent statement, “Living with COVID-19 – Testing Update”, which includes confirmation that Free Lateral Flow Tests WILL be available to front line staff in Primary Care. The full statement can be downloaded HERE. The AOP have welcomed the announcement, HERE. Regarding staff testing, NHSE&I state :

   From 1 April, in line with UKHSA advice, NHS staff testing will operate as follows:

   • NHS patient facing staff should continue to test twice weekly when asymptomatic. LAMP testing will no longer be available after 31st March. LFD tests will continue to be available through the gov.uk portal for NHS staff working in a patient-facing role. NHS England is working with UKHSA to determine how routine asymptomatic testing  should be stepped down in line with any decrease in prevalence rates. Symptomatic NHS staff should test themselves using LFDs. LFD tests will continue to be available through the gov.uk portal for NHS staff in England with symptoms.

   • Staff who test positive should continue to follow the current return to work guidance. LFDs to support this guidance will continue to be available through the gov.uk portal for NHS staff in England.

   • Staff who are household contacts of a positive COVID-19 case will now be able to continue to work as normal if they remain asymptomatic and continue to test twice weekly. They will no longer be required to have a PCR test in order to return to work.

   • Staff undertaking COVID-19 tests as part of a research study (eg SIREN) should follow the protocols of their study. Please contact your local study coordinator for further details.

   • Staff should undertake COVID-19 tests on an ad hoc basis if instructed by their employer or director of public health in specific circumstances. Staff will be notified via their line management structure if this applies to them.

2. Wellbeing Webinar
   LOCSU advise “NHS England and NHS Improvement are hosting a webinar for primary care colleagues from across general practice, dentistry, optometry and pharmacy on 6 April between 5:00 and 6:30pm. This will be a great opportunity to hear about current, dedicated health and wellbeing support offers available to colleagues working across primary care, including an in-depth talk on accessing support through the staff mental health hubs. To reserve a place or for further information, please visit: https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/looking-after-our-primary-care-people—health-and-wellbeing-engagement-event-april
3. Vacancies for Optom and DO in Buntingford
   
   Mark, joint practice owner at J Oliver Radley Opticians in Buntingford, advises: “We are looking for a Dispensing Optician(full/part-time) as well as an Optometrist (part-time) to work in our lovely Practice. Candidates can arrange to have an informal chat or send CV’s via email (to Michelle at) info@radleyopticians.com “.

Kind regards

Herts LOC