Covid-19 testing amongst NHS and care residence workers with no signs in England is to be “paused” on the finish of August, officers have introduced.
The Division of Well being and Social Care stated the choice to cease all “asymptomatic testing” comes as circumstances of the virus proceed to fall.
However the Royal Faculty of Nursing (RCN) stated nurses “should proceed to have entry to free testing and high-quality private protecting gear”.
Routine asymptomatic testing for the final inhabitants stopped earlier this yr and assessments have been not free to entry for most people.
However well being and social care leaders known as for testing amongst NHS and care workers to proceed amid excessive case numbers.
Testing for workers and sufferers with out signs continued in NHS, social care and a few jail settings.
The division stated that it made the choice to pause routine testing for most individuals with out signs from August 31, however it'll resume the programme “ought to or not it's wanted”.
Asymptomatic testing will stay in place for folks being admitted hospices and for these going into care properties and for immunocompromised sufferers who're being admitted to hospital, it stated.
Testing for folks with signs will proceed in some NHS, social care and jail system settings.
This may embody NHS workers with signs; sufferers who want a analysis to allow them to entry Covid-19 remedies; care residence and hospice workers; social care workers; hospice and care residence residents; jail workers and detainees and workers and repair customers of sure home abuse refuges and homelessness providers.
Well being and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay stated: “Due to the success of our world-leading vaccination roll-out, we're capable of proceed dwelling with Covid and, from 31 August, we'll pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk settings.
“This displays the very fact case charges have fallen and the chance of transmission has lowered, although we'll proceed to intently monitor the scenario and work with sectors to renew testing ought to or not it's wanted.
“These being admitted into care properties will proceed to be examined.
“Our upcoming autumn booster programme will supply jabs to guard these at biggest danger from extreme Covid, and I urge everybody who's eligible to take up the supply.”
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to the UK Well being Safety Company, stated: “Covid case charges and hospitalisations are on the decline, demonstrating the optimistic influence of the vaccines, which stay our greatest type of defence. The information from our surveillance reveals prevalence is low and lowering, and we'll proceed to observe this knowledge intently.
“If you're invited to obtain a booster jab within the autumn, or in case you have not but had a Covid vaccine, please do take up the supply to guard your self and people round you.”
Patricia Marquis, director for England on the RCN, stated: “Nursing workers are solely too conscious of the horrible toll the failure to check can have on a few of their most susceptible sufferers.
“Circumstances of Covid-19 could be falling however this virus has nonetheless not gone away, and it is important that there's continued vigilance to make sure sufferers and nursing workers usually are not put in danger.
“Nursing workers should proceed to have entry to free testing and high-quality private protecting gear.
“Threat assessments, consistent with well being and security laws, ought to be undertaken by all healthcare workers.
“We now have all come a good distance and should not danger any backwards step when well being providers are already beneath huge strain.”
Helen Wildbore, director of the Family and Residents Affiliation, stated: “This coverage has been rushed by way of with no session and with out sharing the info on whether or not asymptomatic testing helps to maintain folks in care protected.”
Sara Gorton, head of well being at Unison, stated: “Clearing therapy backlogs and coping with all the opposite NHS pressures depends on limiting the unfold of coronavirus an infection in well being settings as a lot as doable.
“NHS workers have been already alarmed that final month’s withdrawal of Covid pay and go away measures could possibly be a backward step. Meting out with testing necessities will make them much more anxious about security and the resilience of providers.”
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