Coronavirus: Screening

(asked on 23rd October 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that community testing for covid-19 is accessible for autistic people; and whether he is taking steps to ensure (a) provision of accessible information and b) the training of staff on autism in those testing centres.


Answered by
Helen Whately Portrait
Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 22nd January 2021

Everyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is eligible for a test, but we are aware that certain groups or individuals may find accessing a test more difficult than others for a range of reasons. In booking a test it is possible for friends, relatives and carers to book a test on behalf of another person online or via 119, should they require assistance with the test booking process.
We have also introduced specific training for call centre staff and on-site testing staff so that they are able to support those who find it difficult to administer the test themselves

Home testing has improved convenience for many people, including for those who may struggle to get to a test site. Since NHS Test and Trace began, we have been working with charities and organisations to understand accessibility issues and practical actions we can take to make testing more accessible and inclusive, including those which represent neurodiverse people.

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