Coronavirus: Drive-through swab service set up in Easingwold for patients referred by NHS 111
People who have been given an appointment for testing following a telephone assessment by NHS 111 will arrive at the testing facility by vehicle only. The test facility is not a drop-in centre and only those who meet the nationally agreed criteria for a suspected case will be given an appointment and asked to attend for their test.
The centre has been set up by NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group in the car park to the rear of Easingwold Health Centre.
Dr Andrew Lee, the CCG’s Executive Director of Primary Care and Population Health, said the aim was to provide “safe, local and quick testing for Covid-19”, also known as coronavirus, for the Vale of York, Scarborough & Ryedale area.
Those referred by NHS 111 to the centre for swabbing will arrive and remain in their own vehicle. They will not enter the health centre building. Patients will be swabbed by specially trained nurses in protective gear who will walk out to the patient’s vehicle in the car park at the rear of the building. It is thought patients attending for a test will be on the site for no longer than 15 minutes.
The service is being provided by nursing staff co-ordinated by NHS Vale of York CCG to minimise the impact of testing on local hospitals, where cases have been tested in recent weeks. Samples taken at the facility will be sent away safely and securely for testing. Patients will be sent home in their vehicle to await the results.
Dr Lee said: “I can assure you that strict infection control procedures have been implemented at the site and our staff are well trained for this task. Consequently, this testing facility poses negligible risk to the wider public. Anyone needing to go the health centre for any other reason can do so as it will be functioning as normal.
“Everyone can continue to play their part to prevent the spread of infection by taking simple steps such as regular hand washing with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser. If you have any concerns about your own health in relation to coronavirus, please follow the national NHS guidance.”
