Returning to work after COVID-19
Need a workplace testing solution? Acacium Group can help
Acacium Group has carried out over 1 million tests across the UK, allowing employers to mitigate outbreaks in the work environment and protect business operations.
Employer requirements: a quick recap
On 19th July 2021, the Government lifted all measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, including the requirement for people to work from home wherever possible. However, because it’s still possible to catch and spread COVID-19 even if you’re fully vaccinated, employers need to carry out a health and safety risk assessment and take reasonable steps to mitigate any risks they identify.
To help employers with this assessment, the Government issued a “Working safely during coronavirus guidance”. It recommends that employers establish a set of COVID-19 back-to-work guidelines, outlining the safety measures they have in place. Sensibly, most of you have chosen to maintain practices such as hand sanitisation, good ventilation, and social distancing. Many have also deemed it necessary to carry out regular testing; and that’s where Acacium Group can help.
Is testing in the workplace a legal requirement?
Although the government doesn’t require employers to carry out testing on all employees, it has encouraged employers to regularly test their staff and is attempting to raise awareness and encourage more businesses to test. Regularly testing your employees will mitigate outbreaks in your working environment, whilst also protecting your business operations.
Access to free rapid lateral flow tests for your employees is no longer available. Instead, you can either buy your own tests and set up your own workplace testing OR pay an approved provider such as Acacium Group to provide tests or run a test site for you.
Acacium Group testing capabilities
Acacium Group has been successfully providing unique, non-invasive testing solutions to employers, universities, and local authorities throughout the pandemic. We have access to rapid antigen (lateral flow) tests, which can be conducted on-site, as well as reputable Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, with results returned within 24 hours from our laboratory partners where a fast response is needed.
The rapid antigen nasal-swab test also costs significantly less than the PCR test, is easier to use and is far less uncomfortable for the person being tested. This makes it the ideal solution for regular employee testing; as well as enabling your employees to feel safe at work, it can be used in response to a potential outbreak and to protect the wider workforce.
Administering the tests
The accuracy of the test result depends heavily on the test being conducted under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. Our qualified healthcare professionals can be deployed at very short notice to test your staff and help avoid any closure to your operations. They’ll work either on-site or remotely via video technology such as Zoom or Skype. One nurse can test around 10-15 people per hour. We supply the tests, the specialist trained staff to carry them out (either in person or remotely), and then, if needed, an after-service to assist with any track and trace needs.
If a member of your staff tests positive, we can ensure that Public Health England, or the equivalent authorities in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, are notified. They will also report any issues that may lead to false test results following testing.
Find out how we can support you and your employees to get back to work safely
You can trust Acacium Group. We are the UK’s largest healthcare staffing provider and have been a trusted partner to the NHS for over 35 years.
Call us now on 01275 547256 or email us at covidtesting@acaciumgroup.com to discuss your employee testing options.
For further information, see government guidance on COVID-19 tests and testing kits and testing guidance for employers. The government’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) also has a statement on mass testing.
