Newly-named partnership steps into action despite consultation process not being finished

THE newly-announced Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership has announced an expanded COVID-19 testing service is now available for key workers in Thurrock.

However, they will have to travel to Basildon, Chelmsford or Southend, but by appointment only.

The Partnership says essential care and health workers, or members of their household with symptoms of COVID-19 are being offered the opportunity to be tested.

Nationally, clinicians working in critical care, emergency departments and the ambulance service were the first to be given priority access to testing.

Locally, across mid and south Essex, testing is now being offered to other essential (clinical and non-clinical) staff involved in caring for l cal residents, including those working in primary care, community and mental health services, hospices, local authorities, care homes, domiciliary care and volunteers.

There will be capacity for 300 tests per day, rising to 500 tests per day in the coming weeks.

Anthony McKeever, Interim Joint Accountable Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups said: "We know that staff in front-line roles are working incredibly hard and are committed to the care of their patients and residents.

"We hope that by offering a swift testing service to staff in essential roles, they will be able to get back to work as quickly as possible, ensuring both their safety and that of the people they are working to support."

Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership (formerly known as the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership or STP) is made up of hospitals and NHS providers in the south of the county plus the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) that commission the services, including Thurrock CCG.

Health bosses across the wider region have wanted to form a formal merger between the CCG groups, but this has been met with come considerable opposition. A public consultation was launched about the plans, which closed on 5 April, but no outcome has yet been published.

However, administrative functions appear to have already been taken over by a centralised body. Thurrock Nub News has asked Thurrock CCG, which remains a formal and separate entity, to comment on the current situation and its status now that its accountable officer Mandy Ansell no longer appears to be in post.