People in Sefton can now access free rapid COVID-19 testing kits from ALL local pharmacies as part of a new service to help pandemic recovery.

The new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service means that COVID-19 testing kits – known as lateral flow devices – are available from pharmacies free of charge. Anyone can request a box of test kits from the pharmacy counter for regular testing at home or elsewhere. The tests are intended for people who are asymptomatic and will be useful for those who need to undertake regular COVID-19 tests, such as those who need to leave the house to go to work.

These testing kits are available in 9 out of 10 pharmacies in England and constituents can use a new online checker to find their nearest pharmacy offering testing kits. ‘Pharmacy Collect’ offers a convenient option for people to access rapid COVID-19 testing, as many pharmacies are located in the heart of communities, on high-streets and within supermarkets.

It is hoped that widening the offer of tests will help to identify COVID-positive cases in the community and break the chain of transmission, avoiding the need for further lockdowns.

Peter Dowd MP said: “It is fantastic that people in Sefton can now access rapid COVID-19 tests from any local pharmacy. I encourage constituents to make use of this new service by visiting a pharmacy to collect a test, as part of the nation’s COVID-19 recovery effort”.

CEO Dr Lisa Manning of community pharmacy Sefton said: “Community pharmacy provision of COVID testing means that people in Sefton will have greater access to this support. Many people may choose pharmacy for health services because they can visit pharmacies in a variety of locations and at a time that suits them.

Community pharmacists are pleased to be able to do their bit as people return to work and education. This is just one of many examples of how pharmacy teams have helped support patients, the public and the nation during the pandemic.”