COVID-19 Testing in Adult Social Care
COVID-19: testing from 1 April 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
From 1st April 2024, routine provision of free COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) tests for the management of outbreaks in higher risk settings has come to an end in England. However, free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to determine the cause of an acute respiratory infection outbreak in higher risk settings, where deemed appropriate by a local UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) health protection team (HPT), will remain to test for a wide range of respiratory viruses.
Residential adult social care settings, particularly care homes, should always hold a small stock of COVID-19 LFD test kits. These should be used to test any service user who is eligible for COVID-19 treatments and who becomes symptomatic with an acute respiratory infection. The test kits are available (free-of-charge and in advance) from most community pharmacies. Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests for people who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Please do not wait until you need the kits before you order them. If you have difficulty getting rapid lateral flow tests or COVID-19 treatments, contact your local Integrated Care Board.
You should tell the GP about any positive COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test results for your eligible service users. COVID-19 treatments are available from the GP, NHS 111 or the specialist hospital doctor.
Treatment pathway information Covid- Treatments for patients who do not require Hospitalisation
Routine asymptomatic COVID-19 LFD testing on discharge from hospital into care or hospice settings will also end to align with the approach for other respiratory illnesses.