Free NHS COVID-19 home testing kits available for personal assistants across Cheshire

NHS Test and Trace is making weekly COVID-19 home testing available to personal assistants working in adult social care across England.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) home testing kits will offer an additional layer of protection for both the personal assistant and their employer – the person receiving the care, by enabling early identification of asymptomatic cases and thereby reducing transmission of the virus.

How does the PA PCR Home Testing Kit scheme work?

• The personal assistant or their employer can place an order for four test kits every 28 days: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
• The swab test must then be completed by the personal assistant on the same day each week (i.e. every 7 days), registered online and returned by post.
• The personal assistant will then receive their results in 48 hours by email and text (SMS).

A personal assistant is anyone employed directly by an individual person to support them to live independently.

Employers are people who commission a personal assistant either by self-funding or through the receipt of Direct Payment Support from the Council or a Personal Health Budget from Cheshire CCG, to support them to live independently and take care of their care needs.

More information on how the scheme works, frequently asked questions and correct application of the PCR home test kits can be found here.

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “We encourage all personal assistants to take up this offer to protect themselves, their families and the person they care for.

“The PCR home test kits offer an additional layer of protection for this cohort of key workers, who have been working incredibly hard throughout the pandemic, as well as for those they care for.”

For more information about COVID-19 testing in Cheshire West and Chester, including who is eligible to access tests for people without symptoms, visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on COVID-19  testing.