COVID-19 mobile testing units (MTUs)

Commissioning and management control of mobile testing units (MTUs)

Nationally the system is led and overseen by the Government's Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) as MTUs are an important part of the government's response to COVID-19. On 11 June 2020 DHSC issued guidance setting out the framework for commissioning, approving and deploying MTUs, called: "Guidance for Regional Coordination Groups and the directing of Mobile Testing Units".  The following brief summary is based on the DHSC guidance in place on 19th August 2020, which may be subject to change.

The Regional Co-ordinating Groups (RCGs) referred to in the DHSC guidance are part of a regional network of Directors of Public Health.  In East Sussex the Director of Public Health is part of East Sussex County Council.

According to the DHSC guidance MTUs are allocated by the DHSC by region for routine scheduling by the RCGs, under the auspices of the local directors of public health.  So local oversight of MTUs in Hastings is through the local Director of Public Health at East Sussex County Council.  However, in the spirit of partnership the borough council assists where it is reasonable to do so.  For example by:-

• Helping to identify local sites for consideration as MTUs by the commissioning authorities.
• By cascading public facing communications published by the authorities responsible for oversight of the local MTU.
• Plus helping identify local stakeholders that the commissioning authority may wish to engage with, and helping with that engagement process.  For example with local ward councillors.

Operational management of MTUs

Initially MTUs were operated by the military through the military aid to civil authorities system.  However, the DHSC has now contracted this role out to a company called Sodexo, and so local MTUs will be staffed and operated by Sodexo.  The Government's DHSC have oversight of this contract.

What happens at MTUs?

The ability for local people and key workers to be tested locally is very important to help keep services operating and MTUs are a key component of our effort to manage the pandemic in East Sussex. They are located at outdoors sites and provide quick and easy access to the local community to a testing facility, reducing the need for people to travel long distances to a testing station.

All testing appointments at a MTU are booked in advance, online or via 119.  Those who book a test are instructed to take precautionary measures, in line with guidance to reduce the risk of infection. 

Hasting Borough Council involvement in MTUs

Hastings Borough Council is not responsible for commissioning, approving or operating MTUs in the borough.  As set out above this is the responsibility of the Government's Department of Health and Social Care, and the upper tier public health authorities.

However, the borough council does work with colleagues at East Sussex County Council to help them identify potential sites and to assist the county council with communications relating to MTUs in the borough.  In some cases a local MTU might be located on borough council land.  For example a car park.  But in other cases the MTU may be located on private land not under the direct control of any local council.  For example a college, or a supermarket car park, or a sports facility.