Community testing - programme implementation: health board leads' experiences

Background

The Community Testing Programme was launched with a pilot study between 26^th November and 9^th December 2020 in eight communities with stubbornly high prevalence. This established an Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS) and deployed six Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) providing both symptomatic and asymptomatic testing in targeted locations. Following this first phase, the Programme officially commenced in a number of Health Boards on the 18^th January 2021, with the objectives of identifying geographic areas where there was a concern around levels of community transmission and implementing targeted and rapid deployment of testing resources within those communities to enhance symptomatic testing provision and offer asymptomatic testing options. The Community Testing Programme also brought testing capacity to places of work and learning in order to improve accessibility.

The national model combined fixed sites with pop-up and/or mobile solutions. The fixed sites, or Asymptomatic Testing Sites, were located in buildings specifically assigned to the Programme (e.g. libraries, town halls, etc.). More flexible versions of these were also created as pop-ups solutions, utilising venues on a temporary basis or making use of vans. Finally, the testing offer was enhanced by Mobile Testing Units, originally run by the Army and later handed over to the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS).

The general public has been able to drop-in or book a test in one of the available locations, where trained helpers performed or distributed tests and explained how to correctly administer them at home. Some communities have also benefitted from a drop-off service providing both LFDs and PCRs (Polymerase Chain Reaction tests used mainly for people with symptoms).

Given the differences in geography and demographics of each Health Board, these different testing solutions contributed to provide the most appropriate services to the targeted populations. Both fixed sites, MTUs, and other temporary locations set up for testing have represented an important presence in local areas, where they have also been responsible for advertising the Programme. Pop-up and/or mobile options have not only reached the most remote communities, but provided an adaptable and rapid response in specific circumstances, for instance with their deployment to specific places or organisations with an outbreak or in locations lacking suitable fixed venues.