Urgent action needed to ramp up staff testing 

The chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson said:

"Everyone is working around the clock to ramp up staff testing and particularly colleagues in the NHS, who are already working flat out to care for growing numbers of critically unwell patients. 

"These tests will mean that those staff, who are understandably self isolating, are able to return to the front line sooner.

"Currently trusts have been told to use up to 15% of their testing capacity for staff testing and we welcome the news that they will be given more control over the balance of staff and patient testing.

"There is a major shortage of swabs and the reagents needed to process the tests, but trusts are finding innovative solutions to this and sourcing from other industries while NHS labs are looking at how they can make their own reagent.

"With enough supplies there is capacity to process 100,000 tests a day, whereas the current limit is 13,000.

"The focus now has to be on ensuring the resources are in place to rapidly increase the number of tests that can be completed."

Updated PPE guidance is now long overdue

The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"The updated PPE guidance is now long overdue. It is absolutely critical that when this finally arrives it gives all frontline staff confidence that they can do their work safely. 

"Trust leaders also need to know that there are the supplies of equipment available in sufficient quantities in the right place in good time. We have seen notable progress on this but it is vital that outstanding concerns are addressed.   

We hope and expect that this document, backed by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges which represents all the key medical specialties, will resolve outstanding questions over the appropriate and sustainable use of this kit.

"It is deeply frustrating for everyone that this review is taking so long."