Coronavirus (COVID-19): asymptomatic staff testing in NHS Scotland

Twice Weekly Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Testing December 2020

Twice-weekly LFD Testing is being rolled out to all patient-facing staff within hospitals, the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), COVID-19 Assessment Centres, Community and District Nurses and COVID-19 Vaccinators.

Relevant documents and guidance (December 2020) available to download below:

• Director Letter: letter issued by Scottish Government regarding the publication of interim guidance on expansion of twice weekly LFD testing for patient-facing staff within hospitals, the Scottish Ambulance service, COVID-19 assessment centres and COVID-19 Vaccinators
• Frequently Asked Question (FAQs): This document is designed to provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding asymptomatic COVID-19 testing of staff
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): SOP for twice weekly LFD testing for eligible patient-facing staff
• Training Materials: Training materials for patient-facing staff who are self-testing for COVID-19 using LFD tests. This includes a staff guide, poster, video and PowerPoint presentation: 

Weekly PCR  Testing: July 2020

Weekly PCR testing has been in place since July for healthcare workers in the following specialties/wards:

• In oncology and haemo-oncology in wards and day patient areas including radiotherapy
• In wards caring for people over 65 where the length of stay is over 3 months
• In wards within mental health services where the anticipated length of stay is over 3 months

Relevant documents and guidance (July 2020) available to download below:

• Testing healthcare workers: letter to NHS Chief Executives from Scottish Government
• Testing healthcare workers: operational definitions
• Guide to testing healthcare workers in designated areas