Wirral Council is currently in the process of amending the Covid-19 testing offer to focus on targeted community testing to ensure under represented and disproportionately impacted groups can access regular twice weekly rapid testing.
Around 1 in 3 people with Covid-19 don’t show symptoms and can spread the virus without knowing.
As we are approaching the next step in the relaxation of tiers and as the vaccination programme is moving into the younger ages categories, we are looking to focus our testing offer on those groups that are disproportionately impacted by the spread of Covid19 and the vaccine roll out.
We are looking for community, voluntary and faith sector partners that work with and assist people from any of the following categories:
- Multi-generational/ high occupancy households
- Men
- Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic groups
- Religious and faith groups
- People with disabilities or impairments
- LGBTQ+
- Pregnant or Post-natal mothers
- People with alcohol or drug dependencies
- Gypsy, Roma, travelling communities
- Low income households
- Migrants / Asylum Seekers / Refugees
- People experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping
- Sex workers
- Survivors of domestic violence or abuse
For any organisations that are able to assist with these groups, there are 3 options that we would like to work with you to provide:
- Home test kit resource:
This option is best for organisations that have a collection location or visit members of the community that cannot get out.
Organisations will be provided with a set of home test kits (7 in a box) to give out to members of the community.
Community members that use this option need to be confident with and capable to self-test and to register their own results.
We will bring stock to you and there will be a simple online ordering process whenever additional test kits are needed.
The only requirement is that organisations share the information with their communities and keep a log of how many tests are distributed and the name/postcode that they are distributed to.
- In location testing:
This option is best for organisations that have a location where community members can go to have an assisted rapid lateral flow test (LFT).
Organisations will be provided with equipment/ PPE and materials to enable staff to carry out assisted tests.
Organisations will also be given sets of home test kits (7 in a box) to give out to members of the community if they want them.
Community members that use this option need to be able to attend the location that the test is undertaken.
Organisations need to have staff member/members that would be capable of delivering assisted test – we would give testing training and quality assurance documentation to staff.
We will bring stock to you and there will be a simple ordering process whenever additional kit is needed.
Organisations will be required to share the information with their communities and keep a log of how many tests undertaken / positives. Also how many home test kits are distributed and the name/postcode that they are distributed to.
- Assisted testing vehicle:
This option is best for organisations that have a location that can be advertised or is attended by a large group of the community at any one point. There needs to be 3-4 parking bays worth of space for the set up.
Organisations will be provided with a Mobile testing vehicle and team that will assist community members with testing and carry out the testing and results. Testing staff will also distribute home test kits to community members.
Community members that use this option need to be able to attend the location that the test is undertaken.
Organisations need to have staff member/members on site to help as a liaison between testing team and the community. Organisations also need to provide toilets and water facilities for the team.
We will bring testing facilities to you and will agree on the best time and location to operate the testing facility.
Organisations will be required to share the information with their communities and advertise the arrival of the team.
All testing is done without judgement and in the aim of keeping people in Wirral, that are the most vulnerable to future surges of the virus, safe.
If you, or any other organisation would be able to assist with any of the 3 options above, or would like to discuss testing in their communities, please can you contact Tom Smith .
Your support in this initiative would be greatly appreciated to help keep our residents safe and control our infection rates.
