The Welsh NHS is changing its rules on Covid testing for patients who need an admission to hospital. Following the rollout of the vaccine, which has been successful in reducing severe illness, hospitalisation and death, the decision has been made to alter the type and frequency of tests carried out by certain patients.
It is hoped the changes will boost the ability of staff to carry out routine and emergency care, as well as aid the flow of patients through hospital treatment and, for some, their discharge into social care. The testing alterations will affect pre-admission testing for planned procedures, admission for unscheduled care, post-admission testing for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, and discharge testing arrangements.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: "The pandemic has not gone away and we are still learning to live with Covid-19, but the current public health situation allows us to make appropriate changes to the testing regime that supports health boards to implement the necessary infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies that will have a positive impact on routine and emergency care.
