BRITISH HEALTHCARE COMPANY TO LAUNCH 10 PRIVATE COVID TESTING SUITES

British healthcare company Salutaris People has today officially confirmed it plans to launch ten private Covid test suites across the UK in the coming months to cope with what it predicts will be a huge demand when international air travel resumes after 17th May. The first four private Covid-19 test suites will open in the North of England next month.

The healthcare company, which is on the UK Government’s approved list of Covid-19 test providers, is the lead clinical partner in the first rapid PCR test facility at a UK airport. Salutaris People is already working in partnership with the Test Assurance Group (TAG) and Liverpool John Lennon Airport to provide rapid PCR testing for airline passengers, private individuals and businesses.

The four new test suites will be based in Wilmslow in Cheshire, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Stockton-On-Tees and Sunderland. The largest section of the expansion will come in the North East for passengers who wish to fly from Newcastle International Airport and Teesside International Airport. Both the Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Wilmslow suites will provide Covid-19 testing for airline passengers wishing to fly from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester International.

The company has already successfully launched its first testing suite at Liverpool John Lennon Airport in partnership with the Test Assurance Group (TAG) and the airport. The Liverpool site has an express testing suite, with its own on-site laboratory providing clients with a rapid PCR test and certificate with a 1-hour and 24-hour service. It also offers Fit to Fly and Test to Release, alongside 2- and 8-day testing. Liverpool is one of the only airports in the UK able to do this at present, compared to the normal 48-hour turnaround for PCR tests.

Salutaris People is investing in infrastructure, testing facilities and healthcare staffing costs for the rollout of its four test suites. It is envisaged that when all four test suites are operational and air travel has fully resumed, the company will create more than 100 new jobs in administration, healthcare, marketing and sales positions. Salutaris People is also one of the very few private Covid-19 testing companies to retain its own consultant virologist and infectious diseases physician through its clinical testing partner Akea Life.

The company is also in talks with a number of regional airports around the UK to provide private Covid-19 testing services. Salutaris then plans to expand its Covid-19 testing services with a further six test suites over the next three months across the UK.

Salutaris People, which is based in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Cheshire, believes the expansion of its healthcare services is perfectly positioned in the North of England to deliver high-quality private Covid-19 testing, delivered by a trusted healthcare company with more than 30 years of experience.

Commenting on the expansion plans, Salutaris People MD Ross Tomkins said:

“We are delighted to be able to announce this first phase of expansion in our testing services across both the North East and North West of England. It builds on our existing medical and occupational healthcare businesses, which have a combined 30 years of expertise in this sector.

“We are investing heavily in both the North East and North West economies to help get international air travel for business and tourism back on its feet. PCR testing will continue to play a significant role in air travel for some time to come. It is the gold standard of Covid-19 testing and we believe it will play a major part in allowing passengers to undertake air travel again safely and with confidence.”

The launch of the Salutaris testing suites across key geographical areas will mean that airline passengers who wish to travel from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Teesside, Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon Airports, can have access to a quick, efficient “gold-standard” rapid PCR test administered and delivered by trained healthcare professionals and a trusted healthcare provider.