Rapid Results test should be available to care homes

[DianaT1969]

As a matter of urgency. Residents in care home need visitors and these tests can provide same hour results. Is anyone aware of plans to get them to care homes?
I read they will be used from January for people to attend large sporting events. I'd like to see them used now to enable families to visit their loved ones - assuming they are accurate enough.

I think care home use should definitely take precedent over sporting events for access to these tests!

Agree

And at least care homes are breeding prioritised for the vaccine (which will hopefully prevent another 20, 000 dead

I would assume it is because they would hope to have care home residents vaccinated by January as they are the top of the list for that, whereas sports etc would mainly be attended by younger people who are unlikely to be vaccinated for a while

They are prioritising care homes for fast tests, a massive pilot study has almost been completed...

Some details here www.carehomeprofessional.com/care-homes-trial-one-hour-covid-19-testing-system/ - it was due to finish end of September but as I understand it they now have access to improved tests (same product but better) and want to check that. Results and roll out expected any day now.

Why are you jumping to the conclusion they won’t be used in care homes?

@sleepwhenidie - that's good news. The media reports of loneliness and decline among residents in care homes has been heartbreaking.

@HotChocolate12

I would assume it is because they would hope to have care home residents vaccinated by January as they are the top of the list for that, whereas sports etc would mainly be attended by younger people who are unlikely to be vaccinated for a while

Actually that's a good point. I forgot to take into account the vaccine rollout should have started by then!

I am a receptionist in a care home. We are fortunate to be allowing visits still through covid secure visiting room but if we could do rapid test results to allow hands on visits I think it would be amazing. If the virus doesn't kill them, broken hearts will.

YES!! Absolutely. We have to wait 3 days on average before our results come back. Covid swept through all 4 homes in our group in April and now its sweeping through again...I despair I really do. It's scary in care homes it really is..

Yes, easy access to rapid result tests for care home staff, residents and guests would be a game changer now and while the vaccine is rolled out.