The Government have set out a new policy for parents and carers of children in primary schools with the aim of making sure that our local school community is safe for all.  They have advised parents and carers to collect Lateral Flow Test kits which test asymptomatic adults. Those who are asymptomatic are infectious but don’t have any symptoms, so don’t realise that they are spreading the virus.  The Lateral Flow Test kits will show if the adult is positive or negative. If the result is positive the adult then will book a PCR test at a local test centre which links to NHS Test and Trace. 

Summary of the Government guidance 

From 1 March 2021, if you’re a member of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or a pupil who work/attend a primary or secondary school you can get a twice-weekly rapid lateral flow test if you are symptom free via the following: 

• through your employer if they offer testing to employees 

• by booking a test at a local rapid test site. In North Tyneside the test site is at The Riverside Centre, North Shields.

• by collecting a home test kit from a specified collection point. In North Tyneside the collection points are test sites at The Parks, North Shields and Coronation St Car Park, Wallsend. Opening times are 1pm-7pm

• by ordering a home test kit online

Collecting a home test kit from a collection point 

This service is known as the Community Collect Service and it enables individuals to: 

• Undertake twice-weekly testing based on a model of collecting kits and testing at home. 

• Access two packs of 7 rapid lateral flow self-test kits which can be collected per individual up to a maximum of 4 packs where required, for example for very large or extended families. 

• Collect the kits from test sites in North Tyneside located at The Parks Leisure Centre, Terrace Room, Howdon Road, North Shields or Coronation Street Care Park, Wallsend between the hours of 1pm and 7pm (other collection test sites are available and can be found at: COVID Test Finder (test-and-trace.nhs.uk) 

• Each individual must register the test and record the results at home, using the NHS website or through the 119 call centre for positive, negative and void results. 

• Any individual who undertakes a test at home and reports a positive lateral flow self-test will be directed to undertake a further test to confirm the result by ordering a PCR test online or by booking to attend for a PCR test at a local test site such as The Parks Leisure Centre, Terrace Room, Howdon Road, North Shields or Coronation Street Care Park, Wallsend who offer these tests each morning (but NOT the site at The Riverside Centre as this site only provide rapid testing using lateral flow devices). 

• For those individuals who are not able to collect the home test kits can order the kits online for home delivery. Individuals are encouraged not to order online if they can get a test through other methods. This frees up home delivery for those who need it most. 

I hope that you find this information helpful. If you have any questions please get in touch with us on 0191 6053407 or speak to NHS 119 for more information.