Suspected Covid-19 cases tested in hours at Hartlepool's hospital trust after lab set up in record time

The programme at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust means tests for suspected Covid-19 can be completed and results back within just six hours once in the laboratory.

Biomedical scientists Emma Swindells and Robyn Turnbull set it up with support from a dedicated team in just one month – something which would normally take around six months.

Without it, cases would be tested in other sites across the region said Emma. She added: “It means we can detect positive and negative cases very quickly – within hours.

“By performing the test ourselves, this allows clinicians to quickly put patients on the correct pathway.

“This is thanks to the support of so many colleagues and organisations across the region.”

The tests are done by a specialist in a fully-equipped and accredited laboratory at Stockton’s University Hospital of North Tees.

It starts with a swab sample taken from deep at the back of the patient’s throat or nostril which is then sent to a biomedical scientist in the virology lab.

Robyn added: “Every single stage of this process has been set up by the team here. This is a fantastic achievement by everyone involved and shows the support we have had not just from this organisation but from experts across the region.

“People may think that once a swab is taken it is a simple process to then get a result, but there are several steps that need to be taken.

“Everyone has pulled together for the benefit of our patients during an unprecedented time.”

Suspected cases are now being tested 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Government has expanded the list of people who can get tested and now includes all essential workers, anyone over 65 with symptoms, and anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home.

According to the figures from NHS England released on Thursday, April 30, the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has recorded 73 deaths of patents who tested positive for Covid-19.

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