Care home staff and other health and care workers with symptoms of Covid-19 can now get an early test for the virus in the heart of their local community, thanks to the expansion of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust's staff swabbing service at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium to other public sector workers.

The Spurs stadium in Tottenham was the first Premier League ground to be used for NHS staff swabbing, with the drive-through virus testing service opened by the Trust in early April (Wed 8 April 2020) to enable its staff who have symptoms of the virus to get tested.

The extra testing capacity is now being made available free of charge to key workers from other health and social care organisations, including care homes and the wider public sector.

Key workers in the health and care sector who need a Covid-19 test because they are showing early symptoms of the virus should call the Trust's stadium testing hotline between 10am – 3.30pm, Monday to Friday on 07561 699185. More details are available at http://www.northcentrallondonccg.nhs.uk/covid-19-staff-testing/ ?

Those who are clinically appropriate for swabbing according to latest national guidance will get allocated a testing slot, normally within 24 hours of their call, and will receive their results by phone or text for convenience and speed.

Maria Kane, Chief Executive of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, said: “Whether locally or nationally, the NHS can only ever look after people in the way our local communities value so highly by working hand in hand with partners, and that’s particularly true when it comes to colleagues in social care.

“So we’re very pleased to be able to extend our staff testing facilities free of charge to partners in the care sector and other health providers, and continue to be grateful to Spurs for their ongoing support and their own commitment to our local community in these challenging times.”