The British Army is setting up a mobile testing centre in the car park of Albert Park, off Great Clowes Street in Broughton, which opens tomorrow, Sunday 10th May until Tuesday 12th May.
The localities of Broughton Park (15) and Higher Broughton (13) were recently shown to have the joint highest numbers of deaths from coronavirus in Greater Manchester, to 17th April, with the perfect virus storm of deprivation, ethnic minorities and a large concentration of care homes (see previous Salford Star article – click here).
The testing site is for essential workers, including NHS and social care workers with symptoms; anyone over 65 with symptoms; anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers); and anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those identified above.
Social care workers and residents in care homes with or without symptoms are also eligible, as are all NHS workers and patients without symptoms, in line with NHS England guidance.
People who fall into these categories can either refer themselves for a test or their employer can do it. For more details and to make appointments see the Government website – click here
Meanwhile, Salford has a further ten confirmed cases of coronavirus, taking the total to 855, up from 844, while Salford Royal Hospital has announced one more sad death from the virus.
Manchester now has 1,279 cases, Stockport 938, Wigan 923, Oldham 903, Bolton 875, Trafford 669, Rochdale 640, Bury 632 and Tameside 528.
At the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in Manchester's GMex, public sector union, UNISON, states that some cleaners, porters, catering assistants and security guards are receiving less pay from night and weekend shifts than their colleagues who do exactly the same jobs in other NHS hospitals.
The facilities management staff - who are at the forefront of efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus - are employed by private contractor Interserve rather than by the NHS, and are not getting the nationally agreed NHS rates for the job.
Interserve-employed hospital cleaners are currently being paid £5.89 per hour less for a Sunday shift than their NHS counterparts, and £1.01 per hour less for night and Saturday shifts.
"Porters, domestics and security staff are already amongst the lowest paid workers in our National Health Service – and yet the work they do is absolutely vital to ensuring patients receive the best possible care in a clean, comfortable and safe environment" says UNISON Regional Organiser James Bull "Their work has never been more important.
"The people who have answered the call to work for Interserve at Nightingale NW are exposing themselves to increased risk by cleaning clinical areas, supporting patients and providing vital services on the front line of this global health emergency" he explains "It's appalling to think that they may be short-changed for their crucial contribution to the national effort during this pandemic.
"The least they deserve in return is the same pay as an NHS worker in a hospital would expect under normal circumstances" he adds "Essential workers deserve respect - their pay should not be a lottery based on the hours they work."
Main photo shows community sign at Mocha Parade Lower Broughton
Update: Army opens test site at Albert Park - click here
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
