Behind the scenes at covid community testing centre

Three locations in the borough have been selected to host the initiative, with Sandhurst Memorial Hall also being added to the list of sites earlier this week.

But it was at Brownlow Hall in Warfield where Bracknell Forest Council revealed what goes on inside a community testing hub.

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

A video filmed by the authority shows eligible participants — such as essential workers and those who can’t work form home — queuing up (socially distanced) to get covid tests.

Once inside, residents are provided with a registration card with a unique barcode.

This is used to complete a pre-registration form. They can do this using their own mobile device, or a covid ambassador will complete the form on their behalf.

Residents are then directed to a cubicle, where covid ambassadors, stood on the other side of the cubicle, provide instructions on how to self-administer the test by swabbing the throat and nose, using the swab provided, before handing it back to the ambassador.

The ambassadors are protected by PPE and a screen installed within the cubicle wall.

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

READ MORE: Bracknell Forest Covid community testing sites revealed

The tests are lateral flow tests, which can deliver results within 30 minutes (despite some reported accuracy issues).

Once the test is taken, ambassadors get to work processing the results.

Residents are told to leave the community testing centre and wait for a text confirming the result of their test.

Charlotte Pavitt, Bracknell Forest Council’s public health chief, explained why the scheme has been rolled out.

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

Speaking at Sandhurst Memorial Hall, she said: “We know that one in three people who have coronavirus don’t have any symptoms at all and are therefore possibly transmitting the virus without even realising it.

“We’re rolling out a programme of community testing that will target those who are carrying the virus asymptomatically.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about how community testing works

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

“We’re rolling our testing centres across the borough over the next month and we are inviting those who are working in a key or critical role and who aren’t able to access testing anywhere else.

“We’re also inviting those who are having to go out to work and not able to stay at home during the lockdown period and are therefore most at risk of transmission.

“They can come down, they can undertake a very quick, very simple throat and nose swab and the results will be processed in a 30 minute period.

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

“That enables them to get that result very quickly, if it is positive, to self-isolate and for those that they’ve been in contact with to self-isolate too [for ten days so that they can break the chain of transmission and we can stop the spread in the borough.”

Sandhurst Memorial Hall is one of four community testing centres currently operating in the borough.

The other three are located at Great Hollands Pavilion in Bracknell, Brownlow Hall in Warfield and the Morgan Centre in Crowthorne.

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

READ MORE: Bracknell Leisure Centre coronavirus testing centre opens

Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “The new testing site at Sandhurst is part of our ongoing programme to bring testing to our community.

“Our number one priority is to keep residents as safe and well as possible and bring down our case rates.

“These community testing centres are a vital way for us to identify those who could, unknowingly, be spreading the virus.

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

“This not only helps to protect our community but also help to protect local businesses from outbreaks within their workforce.

“If you are eligible for community testing due to your job, please do come forward and get your twice-weekly tests.

“By regularly testing those who are at greatest risk of having and spreading the virus without knowing it, we are reducing the risk of transmission and helping to safeguard our loved ones and borough from the virus.”

Eligible people and businesses are continuing to be identified by the council and are being contacted directly ahead of regular testing.

A community testing centre has been set up at Sandhurst Memorial Hall. Images via Bracknell Forest Council

Testing will be done twice a week with a three to four-day gap between tests. These appointments can be arranged to fit around shift patterns.

Appointments for those who meet the community testing criteria can be booked via Bracknell Forest Council’s dedicated webpage or by phoning 01344 352000.