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Covid-19 Testing

The tests will be administered on campus. For students and staff who do not present any symptoms of Covid-19 – we strongly encourage all eligible students and staff to take the test.

We will communicate how all students and staff can access testing as early as possible.

Tests take approximately 10 minutes for registration and testing. Results will be sent via text message approximately 30 minutes after the test has been completed.

We are intending to offer testing to students who will be accessing facilities during lockdown, i.e. vulnerable students, students with EHCP, etc.

NHS Test and Trace: COVID-19 testing for staff and students

We are working to keep our college as safe as possible. You may have heard that testing for those without coronavirus symptoms is beginning across the country using new, quicker COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.

Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and students who have to attend college do so safely. Up to one third of people who have coronavirus experience no symptoms. By testing we will help to stop the virus spread and help to keep our college open to those who need to attend as safely as possible. The test is voluntary, but I would encourage everyone to take it.

We will be testing staff and students who are at college and want to participate from week commencing 18th January 2021.

A consent form must be completed by all staff and every student over 16, under 16s must be completed by a parent or guardian, under 18s must discuss this with their parent or guardian before submitting, this form is available here. (one per person).

Those taking the test will be supervised by trained staff. The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy using a swab of your nose and throat. For under 18s, staff can oversee the swab process.

Results (which take around half an hour from testing) will be shared directly with staff and students participating. Where participants are under 16, parents or legal guardians will also be informed.

We know these tests work – in validation studies conducted by Oxford University and Public Health England, they were shown to be as accurate in identifying a case as a PCR test (99.68% specificity). The tests have lower sensitivity, but they are better at picking up cases when a person has higher viral load, hence the need to test frequently.

Testing will be offered free of charge.

What if the test is positive?

Participating staff and students who test positive will be informed about their results individually. Where participants are under 16, parents or legal guardians will also be notified. Guidance on safe travel and additional precautions will be provided along with test results.

You will need to take a further ‘PCR test’ (similar to those done in local and regional testing sites) on the same day (or as soon as possible). College will be able to provide these PCR test kits to perform at home, or you can go to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119 to book a follow-up test. If ordering a PCR test yourselves, they should choose to visit a drive-through test site if possible, as it is faster than requesting a home test.

During this time while you wait for the PCR result (via text / email) you will need to self-isolate.

If the PCR test returns a positive result you will have to self-isolate and follow the guidance from NHS Test and Trace.

What happens if the test is negative?

You will be able to stay in college and resume your activities as normal. You will only be told if you test positive on a ‘lateral flow’ test, so if you do not hear you can assume it was negative. A small number of students may need to repeat the test if the first test was invalid or void for some reason.

What if a close contact at college tests positive?

A close contact of someone in college who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to return to college if they agree to be tested once a day for 7 days and the test is negative. If they do not want to take the test, they will need to self-isolate as per the national guidelines. This does not apply to household members or close contacts outside of college who will still need to self-isolate. Further details will be provided at the time, but if you would prefer to self-isolate instead of doing daily testing, you can. (This service is currently suspended during lockdown).

What if you develop symptoms?

This testing programme at college is for people with no symptoms. If you develop symptoms at any time (such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) you must immediately self-isolate, and book a test by calling 119 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or 0300 303 2713 (Scotland) or visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

We will support our staff and students throughout, but please contact us if you need this information in any other language or format or if you have any questions. You can email DNCGcovidnotification@northlindsey.ac.uk if you have any queries.

How To Do Your Test

While this is a self-swab test, there will be a testing helper who will oversee things and provide help if you need

  1. Your COVID-19 test will be scheduled. If you are under 16, your parent / carer will have consented.
  2. Your test will be fast and while it might feel a little uncomfortable, it won’t hurt you.
  3. Blow your nose if needed. wash and dry/sanitise your hands. Remove the swab being careful not to touch the soft part.
  4. Open your mouth wide and use a mirror to look at the back of your throat, then use the swab to rub firmly 4 times on each side.
  5. Remove the swab carefully without touching your teeth, tongue or gums.
  6. Gently place it about 2-2.5 cm inside one of your nostrils. Roll the swab 4-5 times along the lining of the nostril, this will take 10-15 seconds.
  7. After this, you’re done, gently remove the swab being careful not to let anything touch the tip.
  8. Your swab can then be placed in a tube  for testing, this takes about 30 minutes.
  9. Your school/college will contact you or your parent/carer with the results and let you know what happens next.

DN Colleges Group – COVID-19 Testing Privacy Statement

Ownership of the Personal Data

To enable the Covid-19 testing to be completed at DN Colleges Group (DNCG), we need to process personal data for staff and students taking part, including sharing of personal data where we have a legal obligation. DNCG is the Data Controller for the data required for processing the tests and undertaking any actions which are needed by the college to ensure we meet our public health and safeguarding legal obligations.

Personal Data relating to staff is processed under the legitimate interest of data controller to ensure we can minimise the spread of COVID in a timely manner and enable us to continue to deliver education services safely and securely.

If you decline a test, we record your decision under the legitimate interest of school in order to have a record of your decisions and to reduce unnecessary contact with you regarding testing.

The processing of special category personal data is processed under the provisions Section 9.2(i) of GDPR, where it is in the public interest on Public Health Grounds. This data is processed under the obligations set out in Public Health legislation (Regulations 3(1) and (4) of the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (COPI)) which allows the sharing of data for COVID related purposes and where it is carried out by someone who owes an equivalent duty of confidentiality to that data.

Data Controllership is then passed to the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) for all data that we transfer about you and your test results to them. For more information about what they do with your data please see the Test and Trace Privacy Notice. DNCG remains the Data Controller for the data we retain about you.

Personal Data involved in the process

We use the following information to help us manage and process the tests:

  • Personal information (such as name, date of birth, gender, ethnicity and Student Reference Number)
  • Contact information (such as email address, phone number, and parent/guardians – if required)
  • Test details (such as test date, test result, and the unique barcode assigned to each individual test, which will become the primary reference number for the tests

We will only use information that is collected directly from you specifically for the purpose of the tests, even if you have previously provided us with this information.

How we store your personal information

The information will only be stored securely on lour IT system whilst it is needed. It will also be entered directly onto DHSC digital services for the NHS Test and Trace purposes. DNCG will not have access to the information on the digital service once it has been entered.

Processing of Personal Data Relating to Positive test results

We will inform you (or your parent/guardian) of the outcome of your test and provide further advice as necessary. If you test positive, we will use this information to conduct our COVID Case Management process.

The information will be transferred to DHSC, who will share this with the NHS, GPs. PHE and the Local Government will use this information for wider test and trace activities as well as statistical and research purposes.

This information is processed and shared under obligations set out in Public Health legislation under Regulations 3(1) and (4) of the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (COPI) which allows the sharing of data for COVID related purposes.
This information will be kept by DNCG for up to 3 months and by the NHS for 8 years.

Processing of Personal Data Relating to Negative test results

We will record a negative result and the information transferred to DHSC, NHS. PHE and the Local Government who will use the information for statistical and research purposes.

This information is processed and shared under obligations set out in Public Health legislation under Regulations 3(1) and (4) of the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (COPI) which allows the sharing of data for COVID related purposes.

This information will be kept by DNCG for up to 14 days and by the NHS for 8 years.

Processing of Personal Data relating to declining a test

We will record that you have declined to participate in a test and this information will not be shared with anyone. This information will be kept by DNCG for up to 3 months.

Data Sharing Partners

The personal data associated with test results will be shared with

  • DHSC, NHS, PHE – to ensure that they can undertake the necessary Test and Trace activities and to conduct research and compile statistic about Coronavirus.
  • Your GP – to maintain your medical records and to offer support and guidance as necessary
  • Local Government to undertake local public health duties and to record and analyse local spreads.

Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

Your right of access – You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information.

Your right to rectification – You have the right to ask us to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete.

Your right to erasure – You have the right to ask us to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.

Your right to restriction of processing – You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

Your right to object to processing – You have the the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

Your right to data portability – You have the right to ask that we transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.

Contact

In order to make a Subject Access Request or to discuss anything in this privacy notice, please contact our Data Protection Officer:

Jason Barnard – Head of Student Services dataprotection@dncolleges.ac.uk

Concerns

If you have a concern about the way we are collecting or using your personal data, we request that you raise your concern with us in the first instance. Alternatively, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at https://ico.org.uk/concerns/