HSE seeks to outsource Covid-19 swabbing in 'emergency response plan' for future surges

Swabbing staff to conduct Covid tests will need to be confirmed as quickly as two hours after the vacancy arises as the HSE aims to have staff available to deal with pressure on its testing services.

The HSE is seeking to outsource some of its Covid swabbing in a contract worth up to €6m as part of its “emergency response plan” in the event of future surges of the coronavirus.

Under the proposed contracts, swabbing staff to conduct Covid tests will need to be confirmed as quickly as two hours after the vacancy arises as the HSE aims to have staff available to deal with pressure on its testing services across all counties, including two test centres in Cork and Tipperary and four in Dublin.