Supporting Wirral Council with LFT Mobile Community Testing
Download (PDF 544.45 KB)Summary of report content
The report details finding by Healthwatch Wirral from offering its van to Wirral council to support mobile community testing for COVID-19, via the distribution of LFT home testing kits. It represents people who used the service and staff who provided the service, to whom Healthwatch Wirral spoke over a 3-month period.
The research found that:
- It was not clear what people should do if they did not get their results.
- Communication was not clear to those double jabbed that they should still get tested
- Some people needed escorting to an assisted test, due to fear and lack of understanding of when and where to be tested
- People were unclear of the difference between a LFT and a PCR test
- Testing sites linked to vaccination sites appeared to do better
- It was not clear the domiciliary care agencies had a process of staff testing, with staff taking it upon themselves instead.
The report recommends
- Aligning test sites with stores where people are walking to/from cars.
- Double access sites, with vaccination and testing, are a good option.
- Testing sites should advertise ‘last test’ as well as closing time.
- Ensuring those administering tests are double jabbed.
- Engage the public more to encourage uptake.