Changes to FAST Testing - new venue in Heywood and new opening times

Find And Stop Transmission (FAST) testing launched across the borough in January and has seen over 35,000 tests take place so far.

Changes are being made to the opening times and the Heywood location. The new opening times start on Friday 2 April 2021. The Heywood site has now moved to York House Surgery.

The FAST testing programme, which uses lateral flow tests, aims identify those who may have the virus but have no symptoms and can also be used by those needing a test prior to visitng someone in a care home.

Tests are free and there is no need to book, you can simply turn up to one of the sites across the borough.

 

The latest sites and opening times are:

Rochdale – Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN

• Mon to Thurs 9am - 5pm
• Fri 10am - 6pm 
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Heywood – York House Surgery, York Street, Heywood, OL10 4NN

• Mon 10am - 6pm
• Tues to Fri 9am - 5pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Middleton – Bowlee Sports Centre, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 4LA

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Littleborough – Hare Hill Bowling Club, Townhouse Road Littleborough, OL15 9BG

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Every Monday (except Easter Monday) at Alkrington Community Centre, Hardfield Rd, Middleton, M24 1TQ – Open 11am to 6pm.

 

 

Andrea Fallon, director of public health at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The public response has been great. We’re proud of our testing offer but it only works when people come forward to play their part. FAST testing is a really key way that we can help stop the spread of this deadly virus. One in three people who have covid-19 show no symptoms. As parts of lockdown steadily ease it is so important to get into the habit of regular testing. We all have to take some responsibility to play our part in stopping the spread.”

This FAST testing programme, which uses lateral flow tests, aims identify those who unknowingly have the virus as they have no symptoms – otherwise known as asymptomatic.

Anyone without symptoms can take up this offer, at least weekly, to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other residents.

Tests are free and there is no need to book, you can simply turn up to one of the sites across the borough.

FAST testing is also required for care home visiting. Nominated visitors require two FAST tests, of which one should be on the day of the visit and proof of the negative tests must be shown to the home prior to entry. For more information on care home visiting please visit rochdale.gov.uk/CareHomes

For more information on FAST testing please visit rochdale.gov.uk/FastTesting

If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do not attend. You should book a test via the NHS website or phoning 101.  

You must continue to wear a mask and keep socially distant on the testing sites.

The test

Please ensure you follow the instructions carefully at all times. You will be guided to a booth to complete the test.

You should wear a face covering at all times except when the test is taking place, unless you are exempt. 

The test should not take any longer than a few minutes and is similar to a covid-19 test for when you have symptoms. 

Test results

Results are given via text or email around half an hour after your test.

If you test negative you must continue to follow all the guidelines in place. Please continue to get tested weekly. 

If your test is positive, you will need to self-isolate and arrange a PCR test through the local PCR test centres or a home test.

Support of up to £500 for those that test positive is available if isolation would impact on your income. For more information on this support and the testing available please visit rochdale.gov.uk/Coronavirus