Changes to COVID-19 testing policy from 1st April 2024
From 1 April 2024, the following changes will be made to COVID-19 testing to align with other respiratory infections while continuing to protect those at higher risk of serious illness:
The guidance has been updated in line with these changes to testing from 1 April 2024.
Outbreak managementfor COVID-19 will align with other acute respiratory infections (ARIs). This means routine supply of free COVID-19 LFD tests for outbreak management in care homes will end. Instead, the local UKHSA Health Protection Team (HPT) will advise if PCR testing is deemed appropriate to test for a wide range of respiratory viruses and identify the cause of an outbreak. Providers should continue to follow guidance Infection prevention and control in adult social care: acute respiratory infection – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), notify UKHSA HPT of a suspected outbreak, and initiate risk assessments where able.
Routine COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) testing of asymptomatic individuals prior to discharge from hospital into care homes is no longer required. Testing may still be undertaken, based on local risk assessment by the hospital together with the care home, for example during outbreaks.
Testing for individuals eligible for COVID-19 treatments
Providers should familiarise themselves with the full eligibility criteria for COVID-19 treatments, identify people who may be eligible and ensure LFD tests are available if needed. These tests should be accessed via NHS via local pharmacy. The cohort of people eligible for COVID-19 treatments has been expanded following updated NICE recommendations.
Further information on how to access COVID-19 treatments is available here: Treatments for COVID-19 – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
As part of these changes, the 119 phone number service currently used for testing queries will also end from the 1st of April 2024, with a redirect message in place for anyone calling after this date advising on appropriate routes to report any questions or concerns.
Surplus LFD’s
LFD stock previously supplied for outbreak testing that is in-date can be used to test symptomatic individuals who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Settings are advised to use these tests first so they do not go to waste. If settings have one carton of expired test kits, these can be disposed of in general household rubbish or as clinical waste. The outer box the test kits came in can be recycled subject to your local recycling arrangements. If there is more than one carton, providers must inform their waste contractor that they are disposing of unused test kits. This is a requirement of the Duty of Care regulations, under the Environmental Protection Act.
COVID-19: testing from 1 April 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
In addition, please note :
Guidance on visiting has been updated to reflect the new Care Quality Commission (CQC) fundamental standard on visiting and accompanying in health and care settings (Regulation 9A) which requires, among other things, that care home residents must be facilitated to receive visits, and not discouraged from taking visits out of the care home.
Click here to read the DHSC letter to adult social care providers about testing updates
Test kit expiry date
It has been brought to our attention that several test kits gave unreadable results.
To make sure you are using valid tests and minimise the chance of further void results, it is important to always note the expiry date and use tests in the order they were received. Dispose of any expired tests and those within one week of expiry. Any expired tests will be classed as void.
If you have any questions or doubts, please call the hub 01707 708108 / assistance@hcpa.co.uk