EFFORTS are being ramped up in Bradford as the fightback against the deadly coronavirus continues.
Work is now underway to create a new testing facility at the University of Bradford’s Great Horton Road car park.
It’s part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS staff and other key workers.
Preparations underway
When the Telegraph & Argus visited the site today, workers could be seen making preparations for the new vital facility and a metal structure had begun to take shape in the car park.
The testing centre is being operated in partnership with G4S and Boots, and will offer assisted and self-administered tests.
Those tested will receive their results within a few days.
It comes as part of a rapidly expanding network of testing sites being set up across the UK, and is operating on an appointment-only basis for NHS staff and essential workers.
This follows the launch of the Government’s partnership with universities, research institutes and companies, implementing a network of new labs and testing sites across the UK, with 36 regional testing sites opened so far.
The site at the University of Bradford's car park on Great Horton Road
And in-house testing has also been launched in the district’s hospitals for patients and staff with suspected Covid-19.
In the first week, it processed more than 700 tests.
Whilst it was initially delivered by specialist Public Health England laboratories, the pathology teams quickly recognised that on-site testing and a faster results were needed as case numbers increased.
Afruj Ruf, Managing Director of Integrated Pathology Solutions, the joint venture between Airedale, Bradford and Harrogate Hospitals Trusts, said: “I am very proud of the work done to be able to offer this vital service for our patients, so they can get a fast result and diagnosis.
“The feat of procuring, verifying and delivering a Covid-19 testing service within one month is quite remarkable and is down to the hard-work and dedication of our team; they have really risen to the challenge in providing this most essential of services.
“Other labs already had equipment in place to start testing; our lab has built the whole service in a matter of weeks.”
Patient testing began on-site on April 14 and the lab now also receives staff tests for rapid turnaround to help them return to work as soon as they can.
It is also training more staff and working towards a 24/7 service.
Meanwhile Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a major expansion of testing at today's Downing Street coronavirus briefing.
He announced that all those with coronavirus symptoms aged over 65 and members of their households, as well as workers who have to leave home in order to do their jobs and their households, would be eligible for testing from Wednesday.
“From construction workers to emergency plumbers, from research scientists to those in manufacturing, the expansion of access to testing will protect the most vulnerable and help keep people safe,” he said.
“It’s possible because we’ve expanded capacity for testing thus far.”
And on testing asymptomatic care home residents and hospital patients, Mr Hancock said: “Building on successful pilots, we will be rolling out testing of asymptomatic residents and staff in care homes in England, and to patients and staff in the NHS.
“This will mean that anyone who is working or living in a care home will be able to get access to a test whether they have symptoms or not.
“I am determined to do everything I can to protect the most vulnerable.”
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