Antibody testing to begin for frontline NHS staff in Chesterfield and Derbyshire

The tests, which look for evidence of past exposure to the virus, use blood samples to support information about the prevalence of Covid-19.

Dr Chris Clayton, chief executive officer for NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is obviously a highly fluid situation, so across Derbyshire we’re working together with NHS providers to ensure we have capacity for all NHS staff who wish to have an antibody test.

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“I’d like to thank all health and care colleagues for meeting every new challenge faced in our ongoing fight against coronavirus, as they do everything they can to keep people well.

“As the Health Secretary made clear, having capacity is a good thing, but we also join him in urging people who are eligible and in need of the various tests to get them.

“We’re grateful to those staff who have put themselves forward to be tested so far.”

Organisatons confirmed to be taking part include Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, East Midlands Ambulance Service and GP practices, dental practices, optometry practices and pharmacies across the county.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the antibody test does not indicate whether a person has immunity, or mean that they can disregard social distancing guidance.