Lateral Flow Tests
Lateral Flow Tests for use at Home
Glasgow Clyde College is working with the Scottish Government to provide free, regular, Covid-19 lateral-flow testing (LFT) for all our students and staff. The tests can only be used by someone who is asymptomatic (i.e. shows no symptoms of COVID and feels well). While the tests are voluntary, we strongly encourage you to make use of them at home. Kits will available for collection at each of our campus reception soon and we'll announce when they are available on our social media channels.
Why is our college participating in the programme?
Along with the other protective measures we are implementing to keep our college community safe, regular testing of staff and students will help to further reduce risks for staff and students in our college.
It will do so by helping to identify asymptomatic individuals in college environments at the earliest possible opportunity, and asking them and their close contacts to self-isolate, thus minimising the likelihood of them passing on the virus.
Who can take part?
The regular testing is open to all college staff and students who are regularly attending the college premises. The testing programme also includes college childcare staff and early learning and childcare staff.
Does everyone have to take part?
Testing is voluntary. No-one who is otherwise permitted to come to college will be prevented from doing so just because they do not wish to participate. However, we are strongly encouraging all college and students who are attending college to participate wherever possible, in order to contribute to the wellbeing of our college community.
However, if staff or students are working or learning from home, they should not participate. This is because the programme is intended specifically to reduce risks in the college environment.
What will the testing involve?
Our college is being provided with a supply of Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits by the Scottish Government and the UK Department of Health and Social Care for use at home. We will give each participating staff member and student a supply of these test kits to take home, together with the ‘Instructions for Use’. Each staff member and student will be asked to sign for these in a log at the point of handover. Completion of this test kit log is a regulatory requirement.
We will then ask individuals to test regularly at home, twice a week (every three to four days, ideally in the morning before college.
The tests supplied do not require laboratory processing and can provide a quick result in around 30 minutes. Comprehensive guidance on conducting self-testing is contained in the ‘Instructions for Use’ leaflet which will be provided with the test kit. There is a useful video showing participants how to administer the test here:
Once the test has been conducted individuals must log the test result – whether positive, negative or void – online at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result. Tests are free of charge and will be provided by the college.
NB: It is important to note that this regular testing is only for individuals without symptoms. Those with symptoms must continue to follow the usual guidance. They must self-isolate and book a PCR test at a test centre or via a home test kit at the earliest opportunity. People with symptoms must not rely on a negative LFD result to continue to attend college.
NB: A negative test result must not be taken as leave to relax or ignore physical distancing or other measures intended to reduce transmission – testing is an additional intervention that contributes to reducing risk.
What happens next?
We intend to start distributing test kits soon.
Please only come onto campus to collect a test kit if you have a class scheduled to run on campus.
We will continue to support and communicate with our staff, students and college communities as we implement this programme. Please let us know if you have any questions. In the meantime, here are some Frequently Asked Questions.