Staff at hospital trusts across Kent are facing a postcode lottery of testing for coronavirus.

After East Kent Hospitals trust revealed a five-day blitz of testing of 9,000 staff, KentOnline asked the remaining trusts in the county about their methods.

There is no NHS guidance on how many staff should be tested resulting in different policies at most hospitals.

East Kent, which has seen the most deaths in the county and in recent weeks the most in England, tested all staff in a bid to reduce the high transmission across its sites in Ashford, Margate, Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone.

Its blitz revealed 15 positive cases.

However, staff working for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells trust are being tested every week if they are 'patient-facing'.

A spokesman said: “Now that our hospitals are fully open and routine activity has re-started, keeping our staff and patients safe is our absolute priority and a range of measures are in place to prevent the spread of infection.

“As part of this package, we test all symptomatic staff as standard and have rolled out a programme to test all patient-facing staff weekly, which will be completed by the end of August. From Saturday 11 July to Friday 17 July 2020, 2,036 staff members have already been tested for Covid-19, four of which tested positive. Anyone who tests positive is required to self-isolate for the recommended period of time. In addition we also track and trace anyone who comes into contact with them.

“Social distancing measures have been implemented in all areas of our hospitals, visiting restrictions remain in place to reduce footfall and compliance with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance is implemented via the support of our PPE safety officers. All members of staff wear face masks and patients, who undergo a temperature check when they arrive for their appointment, are asked to wear a face covering at all times.”

In Medway staff who present symptoms are tested and will be asked to socially isolate as per national guidelines.

Dr David Sulch, medical director at Medway NHS Foundation Trust said: "Any staff member with Covid-19 symptoms is immediately tested and will self-isolate until their result is received. Their contacts will also be contacted by the NHS Track and Trace service."

Between July 1 and 30 just 410 staff members were tested, including 32 who had displayed symptoms - two of which came back positive.

Dr Sulch added: "Staff also have the opportunity to have an antibody test. As we have begun to increase our routine and outpatient activity on site, we have continued to reinforce our infection prevention and social distancing measures.

"Every staff member wears a mask and outpatients are asked to wear a face covering at all times when attending the hospital. Visiting restrictions remain in place and we have social distancing stewards at patient entrances to assist patients and remind them of the social distancing guidelines, which are clearly signposted throughout the hospital."

Darent Valley Hospital has tested all 3,000 staff since July 20 with "less than 0.5%", which would equate for 15 staff, testing positive.

A spokesman said: "Coronavirus testing of staff is used to keep patients, staff and the public safe and better understand the way the virus spreads.

"Our testing has expanded to include antibody testing and asymptomatic testing of all our staff, who may carry the virus but do not have any symptoms.

"Those who have tested positive are now quarantining themselves. All patients are swabbed on admission/day 1 and then again on day 6 when under our care."

Away from the major hospitals Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust, which predominantly looks after people in their homes, has 18 members of staff off work due to Covid-19.

Some are waiting for test results and other have contracted the virus. In total the trust employs 5,058 people.

Director of workforce, organisational development and communications Louise Norris said: "The trust is following national guidance, including social distancing measures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), across all our clinical and non-clinical sites.

“We encourage all colleagues who think they may have Covid-19 to have a test if they develop symptoms between days three and five. If a colleague is diagnosed positive they must self-isolate as per national guidance until they are able to return to work."

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, which treats patients with mental illnesses and runs secure units, has only reported one coronavirus death.

It said all staff are offered tests and if symptoms are experienced told to stay at home until one can be arranged.

Of those staff who have taken part in the testing arranged by KMPT across the course of the pandemic 34 have tested positive.

The trust, which has 3,406 members of staff, stressed while staff who arrange tests privately are advised to inform managers of the results this is not compulsory.

Dr Jack Jacobs talks to KMTV

Speaking to KMTV Ashford GP Dr Jack Jacobs said: "I think some sort of regular testing regime at hospitals has to be in place. Something like a weekly or bi-weekly testing regime seems sensible."

He welcomed the news 90-minute coronavirus tests will be rolled out next week, describing it as a "game changer" in the fight against a virus which is likely to stick around for some time.

He added: "We are really worried about the risk of a second wave. I think it is quite likely but I don't think it is the same because we know much more now.

"You get the feeling that this time round the technology will be in place."

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