CQC books coronavirus tests for almost 12,500 care workers

A total of 12,422 care workers will get coronavirus tests arranged by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The care watchdog has contacted adult social care providers at 24,590 locations and confirmed the number of tests it has booked since 10 April.

The CQC worked with Public Health England (PHE) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), to organise appointments for staff who are self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms.

With some care staff unable to visit a drive-through testing centre because they do not have a car, a scheme piloted this week is giving staff the chance to order home testing kits.

Ian Trenholm, chief executive of the CQC, which booked the tests on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care, said: “We’ve taken some really practical steps to support adult social care during a time of unimaginable pressure.

“It is especially important - at a time when staff may be looking after more patients than usual, working outside their normal competencies or in new environments – to highlight the value of safety culture.

"Staff must feel confident that they will be listened to - without any fear of blame or reprisal – when raising concerns and reporting incidents".

Care staff can only be tested if they have a pre-booked appointment. CQC staff are sending providers an invitation email with a link to an online booking form and information on who can be tested.

Public Health England and the DHSC are running testing sites across England and are involved in carrying out the actual testing and managing the process of sharing test results.

CQC data will inform ONS weekly stats from 28 April

From 28 April, the watchdog confirmed data on suspected and confirmed coronavirus deaths that it collects from care providers will inform weekly Office of National Statistics (ONS) reporting on deaths. The CQC said it is working with the ONS to explore how to provide a ‘more detailed and timely picture’ of the impact of coronavirus on adult social care and will give a regional view of which areas are being most impacted and may need additional support.

The care watchdog is also collecting data about COVID-19 pressures (such as PPE shortages) from domiciliary care services giving care to people in their own homes.

The data will be combined with information from care homes ‘to give a much more complete picture of how coronavirus is affecting people who use adult social care services and those who care for them’.

The chief executive said the CQC will be “listening” to what people are saying about services during this time to detect any changes in care.

While routine care inspections have been suspended during the pandemic, the Commission stated ‘if evidence suggests that people are at risk of harm, inspectors will take action to ensure that people are being kept safe’.

Anyone can contact the CQC via its 'Give Feedback on Care' form on the CQC website or by calling 03000 616161.