ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS

West Lothian College have signed up to the new college/HEI Asymptomatic Testing Programme, which is being put in place as part of the package of coronavirus risk reduction mitigations in colleges/HEI’s across Scotland.

Why is our College participating in the programme?

Along with the other protective measures we are collectively implementing, regular testing of staff and students will help to further reduce risks in the college/HEI environment. It will do so by helping to identify asymptomatic individuals in college/HEI environments at the earliest possible opportunity, and asking them and their close contacts to self-isolate, thus minimising the likelihood of them passing on the virus.

 

Who can take part?

The regular testing is open to all staff and students who are regularly attending the college/HEI premises.

 

If you are working from home, and not attending college/HEI, you should not participate. This is because the goal of the programme is to minimise the risks of COVID-19 in the college/HEI environment.

 

If you would like access to asymptomatic testing you can walk into any  local asymptomatic testing sites without an appointment or apply online for LFT testing kits to be sent to your home address following the government link  https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.

 

Do I have to take part?

Testing is voluntary. No-one who is otherwise permitted to come to college/HEI will be prevented from doing so just because they do not wish to participate. However, we are strongly encouraging all staff and students to participate wherever possible, in order to contribute to the wellbeing of our college/HEI community.

 

Consent form- Please complete the consent form to participate in this programme. 

 

Who is this consent form for:

  • For students younger than 16 years, this form must be completed by the parent or legal guardian. Remember to complete one consent form for each child you wish to enrol.
  • For students over 16 who are able to provide informed consent, this form can be completed by themselves, having discussed participation with their parent/guardian.
  • For any student who does not have the capacity to provide informed consent - this form must be completed by the parent or legal guardian.

 

Once you have completed the consent form, kits can be collected from your faculty from Tuesday 4th May, Speak to your lecturer about collecting from the following location:

 

  • Built Environment, Computing and Engineering-  Terrace 1/2  
  • Business, Creative and Enterprise-  Terrace T3/4- G6 Technicians room   
  • Care and Wellbeing - Pavilion C/D

 

To report your result you need the barcode on the test strip (or the ID number under it)

You can report your result either online at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result  or call 0300 303 2713

 

A positive test result from the  LFD will feed into the Test and Protect contact tracing system and commence contact tracing for the positive case. If you have tested positive you will be offered a confirmatory PCR test.

 

If the PCR test result is negative, you will be contacted by Test and Protect who will advise you on what to do next. In most cases this will involve ending self-isolation and returning to College, provided you continue to have no symptoms. In some limited circumstances you may be advised by Test and Protect to continue self-isolation if a risk assessment determines this to be appropriate.

 

Taking a lateral flow test do not stop the need for social distancing measures in the college.  Please continue to follow F.A.C.T.S .  If you experience symptoms do not come onto campus and arrange for a PCR test.

 

I've had COVID, do I need a test?

If you've had a positive PCR test in the past 90 days then you should not participate in LFD testing. If you've not been tested before, or if you have previously tested negative, or previously tested positive more than 90 days ago then you can do an LFD

 

Incident reporting

If there is a clinical incident which led to, or has potential for, harm (e.g. swab breaks in the mouth, bleeding, allergic reaction on using the kit, etc.), individuals are advised to “raise a yellow card” and report it on: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

 

Please remember to inform us if you are self isolating or have tested positive from either a LFD or PCR test.

Letting us know you are self isolating will not will not affect any payments you are due. This can be done via the Covid-19 Report Form.

For incidents occurring at a home setting, participants will be advised to report any issues (e.g. non-clinical: something damaged, or missing or difficult to use in the kit, etc.) by calling 119

 

Medical care should be sought through the usual route of contacting 111 or 999

 

This video demonstrates how to carry out a test.