Coronavirus staff guidance University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Last updated: 24 January 2025 at 15:10

Why are we being asked to do this?

It is important that we protect our patients and colleagues, vaccinated or not, by ensuring that all staff continue to maintain regular asymptomatic testing and continue to follow infection prevention and control guidance to stop onward transmission of COVID-19. There are thousands of people, including staff working in patient-facing NHS roles that will not yet have been vaccinated.

Even after being vaccinated staff should continue to carry out regular asymptomatic testing. We know that vaccinated people will have more protection from COVID-19, and there is some early evidence that it can prevent a person’s ability to transmit the virus, but it does not yet give guarantees that you cannot transmit the virus to patients and staff. Colleagues, whether they have had the vaccine or not, should therefore continue to assume that transmission is possible and keep following infection, prevention and control guidance, and continue testing regularly.

Should I test if I have had a COVID-19 vaccination?

Yes. You should continue to test even if you have had the vaccine.

Despite being vaccinated there is still a possibility an individual can unknowingly pass the virus onto others. Therefore, asymptomatic testing is key in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.

How is the testing being done?

LAMP testing requires staff to provide a fresh saliva sample that will be tested in the laboratories here at the Trust.

Saliva samples will need to be provided by staff while they are at work. Samples must be dropped off in the collection bins in your ward/work area once you have inputted or scanned the bar code via the LAMP icon on a Trust desktop and provided your sample.

Please note that in the first instance, this may be an yellow collection bag, which will then be replaced by a collection bin.

The LAMP icon on your desktop is a large orange ‘L’ shape with the word ‘Lamp’ appearing below.

How often do I need to get tested?

Colleagues taking part in the LAMP programme should test twice per week while they are at work.

Please liaise with your line manager for clarification on which days you should test.

How do I request to participate in the LAMP programme?

Staff who are asked to move from lateral flow tests to LAMP testing can register and request a test by clicking on the LAMP icon on any Trust desktop computer or by registering online.

• Register for LAMP and request a test

Please note you will only need to register once.

If you have not been asked to move to LAMP testing, you should continue taking lateral flow tests twice a week.

Can all staff get the saliva test?

We are currently piloting this new form of asymptomatic self-testing with colleagues from some areas of the Trust, with an expectation to roll it out more widely in the coming weeks and months.

Further communication will be shared with you when we look to roll it out more widely.

I work a night shift, am I excluded from testing?

All staff who are invited to do so can take LAMP tests.

If you work nights, please take your test towards the end of your shift so the sample can be delivered to the laboratory as part of the morning collection. This is to limit the time between the sample being provided and processed by labs to ensure your sample can be tested and results can be returned to you in the aimed time frame.

What if I don’t want to have the test?

The LAMP testing programme is voluntary. However, we encourage all staff to participate in self-testing to help keep our patients, colleagues and loved ones safe.

Where can I collect a testing pack and sealable purple bag from?

Test packs and sealable purple bags will be available near LAMP collection points.

The testing pack should contain:

• Pre-labelled specimen tube
• Funnel
• Absorbent pad
• Labels

An area manager will act as a contact to the LAMP service team and advise when the stock needs replenishing.

Should the location need to be replenished, further testing packs and sealable purple bags can be ordered by emailing the LAMP team.

Email: LAMP@uhb.nhs.uk

I am an area manager. How do I request more testing packs?

More testing packs and sealable purple bags can be requested by emailing the LAMP team with details of the location and how many testing packs and sealable purple bags are required.

Email: LAMP@uhb.nhs.uk

How much saliva do I need to provide?

You need to make sure that you provide enough saliva to be tested, this is roughly 2ml or half a teaspoon of saliva in the tube.

The laboratory cannot test samples that contain phlegm, food or toothpaste so please make sure your sample is clear to avoid it being rejected and you having to retest.

Please wait at least one hour after eating, drinking or smoking before providing your sample.

An optional funnel will be provided in the pack, which can be used to help get the saliva into the tube. If you have used the funnel, please dispose of it in the orange waste bins in your work area.

My mouth is quite dry. How can I make sure I have enough saliva to do the test properly?

To provide a good sample, you should relax and take your time. To encourage saliva production, you can rub the inside of your cheeks with your tongue and/or gently massage your cheeks.

To help produce enough saliva, imagine you are eating or move your mouth as though you are chewing. This will help the build-up of saliva. Tilt your head forward to allow the saliva to collect in the front of your mouth. Spit into the tube without coughing saliva from your throat.

Please wait at least one hour after eating, drinking or smoking before providing your sample.

When should I provide my sample?

Please provide your sample when you are at work. Your area manager may have allocated a specific day for you to provide your sample so please check with them in the first instance.

Samples are to be dropped off at the nearest collection bin as soon as you have carried out your test (please note that in the first instance, this may be an yellow collection bag, which will then be replaced by a collection bin).

The laboratory will process samples between Monday and Friday each week.

How do I get the sample to the laboratory?

All LAMP saliva samples should be dropped off at the designated collection bins within the allocated areas, which will be clearly marked as 'LAMP collection point here'.

Please note that in the first instance, this may be an yellow collection bag, which will then be replaced by a collection bin.

Where are the collection bins located?

Collection bin locations will be clearly displayed with signage. You can also check the location with your area manager.

Please note that in the first instance, this may be an yellow collection bag, which will then be replaced by a collection bin.

How do I get the results and how quickly?

Your results will be sent to you via SMS text message to the mobile phone number you provided during the registration process.

The aim is to notify you within 24 hours from the time that you dropped off the sample so that you can take appropriate action as necessary.

If you have not received your result within 24 hours please email the LAMP team and continue to adhere to Trust COVID-19 guidance.

Email: LAMP@uhb.nhs.uk

What do I do if I get a positive result?

You must self-isolate as per Trust guidance and report your absence to your manager as soon as possible.

Occupational Health will contact you to book a PCR test to confirm your result and identify colleagues and patients that you may have been in contact with. Please do not obtain a PCR test via the community, as you will still be required to carry out a Trust issued PCR test.

You will need to notify any friends, family and others that you have been in contact with.

PCR test:

• If your PCR result is positive, Occupational Health will advise how long to isolate for
• You should not test again via LAMP for 90 days if you are confirmed to be positive
• If your PCR result is negative you may return to work and continue to test via LAMP, unless you are symptomatic or have been advised otherwise by Occupational Health

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, please isolate and request a PCR test by calling Occupational Health on 0121 371 8355 or visit a Trust PCR drive through service.

What should I do if I get a negative result?

Please note as with any test, a negative test result does not 100% rule out COVID-19 infection and you should continue to comply with current Trust infection control and COVID-19 guidelines.

Please continue to take a LAMP test twice a week.

What if the test does not give a result or my sample has been lost?

The chances of a sample being lost are low, as each test has an identifier that is personal to your LAMP login code. If you have not received your result within 24 hours please email the LAMP team.

Email: LAMP@uhb.nhs.uk

The inbox will not be monitored over the weekend so your email will be addressed on the next working day.

If you have not received your result within 48 hours please re-test as soon as you can. In the meantime please also test via lateral flow. The tests can be ordered from the government website. As with any test result please continue to adhere to current COVID-19 guidance.

Will I be notified if my test result is inconclusive?

Samples may be rejected for several reasons, for example the sample was not big enough, fresh enough or if it had phlegm in it, as it may not be possible to get a conclusive test result.

If you have not received your result within 24 hours please email the LAMP team.

Email: LAMP@uhb.nhs.uk

The inbox will not be monitored over the weekend so your email will be addressed on the next working day.

Any inconclusive results will be looked into by the relevant teams and you may be contacted in regards to this.

If you have not received your result or communication from the LAMP service team within 48 hours of testing please re-test as soon as you can.

I have recently tested positive for COVID-19, do I continue LAMP testing when I return to work?

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should not test again using LAMP for 90 days since your positive result. However, if you develop new COVID symptoms please isolate and request a PCR test by calling Occupational Health or visit a Trust PCR drive through service.

Tel: 0121 371 8355

What should I do if I make a mistake when manually entering the barcode?

The system will ask you to enter the barcode from the sample tube twice. Double entry of the barcode will limit the chance for errors being made. However, you should be careful when manually entering your barcode, or using a scanner if one is available, and be sure to double check the code against the sample tube before submitting.

Who do I contact if I am having technical difficulties?

If you experience any technical issues, please email the LAMP team.

Email: LAMP@uhb.nhs.uk

I have dropped the sample tube, do I collect another and start the process again?

For hygiene purposes, please dispose of the dropped tube via the orange waste bins in your area and then start the process again with another tube.

I scanned/entered the barcode on the tube but then could not use it (e.g. unsecure top or cracked tube) what should I do?

If a tube has been scanned and then is not used for whatever reason, please dispose of the tube via the orange waste bins in your area and start the process again with another tube.

Can I test if I don’t come into work at the hospital?

Registration and testing software is only available on the Trust desktop computers; therefore you would need to complete your test when you are at work.

Please do not come on site to do your test if you display any of the COVID-19 symptoms. If you are unsure of what the symptoms are, please contact Occupational Health.

I am a member of staff and work from home, should I come on site to test?

You should not come on to site for the sole purpose of taking a LAMP test.

Colleagues who continue to work from home should not take part in LAMP testing, unless they return to work on site for one day or more each week.

I was unable to test on my designated day, what should I do now?

Please take your LAMP test at the next earliest opportunity and inform your line manager that you were not able to test on your designated day.

I am on leave and have left over lateral flow tests from before LAMP was introduced, should I test with these while I am off?

If you have left over lateral flow tests, these can be used while you are on annual leave should this fall on your designated testing day.

Please continue to test via LAMP once you have returned to work.

What should I do with my leftover lateral flow tests now I have moved to LAMP testing?

Please keep hold of your lateral flow tests and use if/when required as outlined in the question above. Please also use your lateral flow tests if you have not received a result via your LAMP test within 48 hours of taking it.

What should I do if I am working at a different site on my designated testing day?

Please contact your line manager to find out if there is another collection point within your specialty on another site. If you are unable to contact your manager then please email the LAMP team for further assistance.

Email: LAMP@uhb.nhs.uk

If you are able to test within your working area or an area near to you then please do so. Otherwise, take a test at the next earliest opportunity.

What should I do if I miss the deadline for collection?

If you work during the day please try to avoid dropping off your sample after the final collection. This is to limit the time between the sample being taken and processed by labs to ensure your sample can be tested and results can be returned to you in the aimed time frame.

If you are returning to work the next day then test the following day. If you are not returning to an area where LAMP testing is available then please continue to take your test and drop your sample off at the collection point. Samples will be collected from the collection point and tested within 24 hours.

Do I have to do both lateral flow and LAMP testing?

No. You should continue to test with lateral flow tests until you are informed by your manager that you should move to LAMP testing.

Once you start LAMP testing, you should then stop using the lateral flow tests, except when on annual leave or when following Government isolation guidance.

How long do we have to continue to self-test?

The Trust will continue to offer staff testing depending on the need locally and nationally, and in line with NHSI/E.

Can my family have the saliva test?

At this stage, the saliva test is only available to UHB colleagues, including sub-contractors and students working in areas that have been selected for this phase of the rollout.