Aims of the strategy
Objective: To deliver a 12-week rapid testing programme for frontline employees. Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing is for those who do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
The outcomes from this programme should be:
- around 1400 tests completed weekly for a 12-week period.
- booking system for tests.
- operational site live that meets compliance.
Background to the proposal
Dorset Council was requested on 11th January 2021 by Public Health Dorset to pilot COVID-19 targeted testing of identified asymptomatic cohorts using lateral flow technology with the Innova SARS-Cov-2 Antigen Test IFU device. The cohorts identified are made up of Dorset’s local authority employees who are currently providing face-to-face care/services and are unable to provide this service remotely. The aim of the pilot is to find positive cases of Covid-19 and protect vulnerable service users and staff.
A team from across Public Health, Dorset Council and the Clinic Commissioning Group were brought together to launch the testing programme. Testing started on 25th January 2021 at Weymouth Mount Pleasant Park and Ride. The testing site is a walk-in facility and has all relevant safety procedures in place (such as social distancing and thorough cleaning on site).
An internal booking system has been set up to enable employees who wish to take part in the pilot to book their slots. Slots are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. An employee can choose a reoccurring or different slot for each of the 12 weeks
Intelligence and Communication
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process
Public Health Dorset Standard Operating Procedure for Dorset Council.
The pilot will include the all front-line employees out in the community who are engaged in critical services that cannot be carried out from home. It is the decision of the employee as to whether they wish to be tested. This programme closely links to the internal vaccination programme as priority staff who work on the front line will be vaccinated first. Employees who are vaccinated are still encouraged to continue with the testing programme.
Below is a list of services who are being offered testing. Priority services are being given the opportunity to book their tests first.
Tables 1 and 2 provides information on who is being offered testing.
Priority services are being given the opportunity to book their tests first.
Table 1
| Service | Numbers | Priority |
|---|---|---|
Adults |
not provided |
Yes |
Children's |
349 |
Yes |
Passenger transport |
108 |
Yes |
Housing |
16 |
Yes |
Waste |
377 |
Yes |
Bereavement Services |
6 |
Yes |
Registration |
12 |
Yes |
Property |
4 |
Yes |
Leisure |
17 |
Yes |
Site staff |
20 |
Yes |
Planning |
36 |
Yes |
Covid Marshalls |
18 |
Yes |
Total |
958+ adults |
n/a |
Table 2
| Service | Numbers | Priority |
|---|---|---|
Highways |
140 |
|
Parking |
27 |
|
Infrastructure and assets |
12 |
|
School Passenger Transport |
44 |
|
CSAS officers |
4 |
|
Harbours |
13 |
|
Open Spaces |
192 |
|
Outdoor Education |
21 |
Complicated shift pattern |
Cultural Development |
28 |
Complicated shift pattern |
Total |
1439 |
n/a |
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA
No specific consultation has occurred.
Emails to managers, communications in managers weekly email, letters sent to relevant employees with information.
Assessment
Impacts of the strategy
| Impact on who or what | Effect | Details |
|---|---|---|
Age |
Positive |
The risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Regular testing will ensure those front-line workers who fall into this category are picked up quickly if they have covid-19 increasing their likelihood of recovery |
Age bracket affected |
n/a |
Older people |
Disability: (including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions |
Positive |
Most people with disabilities are not inherently at higher risk for becoming infected with or having severe illness from COVID-19. However, some people with disabilities might be at a higher risk of infection or severe illness because of their underlying medical conditions. Diversity data for the council workforce show that 2.70% identify as disabled but 39% prefer not to say or haven't declared. We are not able to detail how many of these employees would be front-line workers who are engaged in critical services, without risk of identifying. Regular testing will ensure those front-line workers who fall into this category are picked up quickly if they have covid-19 increasing their likelihood of recovery. |
Affected group |
n/a |
People with underlying medical conditions |
Gender Reassignment & Gender Identity Religion or belief Sexual orientation Marriage or civil partnership Single parent families Armed Forces communities |
Neutral |
n/a |
Pregnancy and maternity |
Positive |
There's no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus. But pregnant women have been included in the list of people at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) as a precaution. Regular testing will ensure those front-line workers who fall into this category are picked up quickly if they have covid-19 increasing their likelihood of recovery. |
Race and ethnicity |
Positive |
Evidence has shown that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, as part of the general risk assessment carried out for COVID-19, this group have been encouraged to work from home if they are able to do so and to avoid face to face visits, if these cannot be avoided, then a specific risk assessment must be undertaken. Our employee diversity monitoring as at 1 November 2020, shows that 1.25% of our workforce identify as Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, however, we are not able to detail how many of these employees would be front-line workers who are engaged in critical services, without risk of identifying. Regular testing will ensure those front-line workers who fall into this category are picked up quickly if they have covid-19 increasing their likelihood of recovery |
Sex (consider both men and women |
Positive |
Several studies have shown that more men are dying from COVID-19 than women. Experts say part of the reason is women tend to have stronger immune systems than men. They add that men also tend to engage in more risky behaviour such as ignoring physical distancing, and they don’t take symptoms as seriously. Our employee diversity monitoring as at 1 November 2020, shows that 36.88% of our workforce identify as male, we are not able to detail how many of these employees would be front-line workers who are engaged in critical services, without risk of identifying. Regular testing will ensure those front-line workers who fall into this category are picked up quickly if they have covid-19 increasing their likelihood of recovery |
Carers: |
Positive |
Employees who have caring responsibilities for vulnerable individuals will benefit from receiving regular testing to ensure infection is caught quickly |
Rural isolation |
Negative |
Currently there is only one testing site at Weymouth Park and Ride. As the community offer expands for testing it is likely that there will be availability at various sites across DC area for staff testing. This may take a week or two so from launch (25th Jan) those that are unable to travel to Weymouth may miss out on testing. Managers have been asked to ensure staff are able to travel during works time. Extra support for commuting to the site may be required for passenger assistants as employee data shows that many of these employees do not drive |
Social and economic deprivation |
Negative |
Similar to rural isolation, those who do not have transport may struggle to get to the Weymouth testing site. Until the community offer expands, managers are being asked to ensure appropriate means of transport are in place were required |
Key to impacts
Positive impact
the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups.
Negative impact
Protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Neutral impact
No change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups.
Unclear
Not enough data/evidence has been collected to make an informed decision.
Action Plan
| Issue | Action to be taken | Person responsible | Date to be completed |
|---|---|---|---|
Transport to Weymouth testing site |
Communications to managers to ensure employees that would like to be tested are able to travel to the site. For example passenger assistants can be driven to the site during their working hours to be tested. | Melissa Craven | 25 January 2021 |
Who has agreed this EqIA?
Officer completing this EqIA: Emily Riglar
Date: 26 January 2021
Equality Lead: Susan Ward-Rice
Date: 15 February 2021
Equality & Diversity Action Group Chair: Rebecca Forrester
Date: 24 February 2021