17 December 2020
The government has published a list of private providers of COVID-19 testing, in a bid to help employers and individuals set up their own COVID-19 testing programmes.
The accreditation process for private COVID-19 testing has also been made faster and more efficient by a new system that came into effect this week.
New legislation means that commercial tests are now accredited solely through UKAS, the UK’s National Accreditation Body. Previously some providers of COVID-19 testing were required to be registered both with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and with UKAS.
This new approach avoids duplicate registration processes for test providers, whilst retaining the highest safety standards for consumers.
One of the biggest private Covid-19 testing sites in the UK set to open
Bosses say they want to help staff return to offices safely and reassure travellers heading to families ahead of the Christmas break (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
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By Press Association 2021
Biogroup is launching a new mass private testing facility to process 100,000 tests a week in London
One of the biggest private Covid-19 testing sites in the UK is set to open on Wednesday with customers able to get their results within 24 hours.
French firm Biogroup will open two pop-up sites in Marylebone and Notting Hill in London and a megalab able to run 15,000 tests a day or 100,000 every week.
Bosses say they want to help staff return to offices safely and reassure travellers heading to families ahead of the Christmas break, when rules will be relaxed.
The company believes it can eventually offer a 20-minute turnaround service by the new year, with the testing potentially rolled out to airports and travel hubs.