COVID-19 national testing programme

Date: 09 September 2020

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The NHS Test and Trace team have made us aware of some disruption to COVID-19 testing capacity across England. 

Tests are still available in your area through the national testing programme and we advise you to access the booking portal to book a test if you have developed symptoms. Slots are released when they are available so please keep trying and remember to only to go testing stations if you have a confirmed appointment. A number of postal testing kits are also available. You can access the national testing portal here.

Please note that the local NHS does not have responsibility for the national COVID-19 testing programme. Local NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and similar healthcare settings are not currently providing appointments for routine COVID-19 testing to the general public.

A small number of appointments are being made available for emergency services personnel and some other key worker households. Booking for these appointments is available through their respective organisations. In all other instances, you will not be able to get a test at hospital unless you are already receiving hospital treatment and it is necessary for your care.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 but are not able to get a test within five days of your symptoms developing, remember to protect yourself and your loved ones by staying at home and self-isolating for 10 days, in line with current public health advice. For more information, please see www.kent.gov.uk/protectkent

If you would like to make contact with or raise a complaint about the national testing programme, please contact the Department of Health and Social Care enquiries line on 020 7210 4850 or fill in their online form at https://contactus.dhsc.gov.uk/

 

  • Summary:

    The NHS Test and Trace team have made us aware of some disruption to Covid-19 testing capacity across England.