As the focus moves towards greater home testing for coronavirus, the provision for testing centres across Suffolk has changed to bring in more sites where people can collect home testing kits. 

Alongside this there will be four mobile testing teams, who can visit anywhere in Suffolk at short notice, bolster testing in communities and also respond to any outbreaks.

14 testing centres will close and the full list of what's open and closed is below:

• Sites closed by 31^st March: Aldeburgh, Southwold, Woodbridge, Bungay
• Sites due to close on 16^th April: Nayland, Brandon, Elmswell, Needham Market, Holbrook, Hadleigh, Halesworth, Eye, Saxmundham, Debenham
• Sites which will remain open (reduced operating hours): Ipswich University of Suffolk, Bury, Lowestoft South, Lowestoft North, Haverhill, Mildenhall, Felixstowe, Ipswich West. Stowmarket, Martlesham, Sudbury, Beccles, Framlingham
• New sites planned/ relocations: Ipswich Town Centre, Ipswich Portman Road, Newmarket Town Centre

4 mobile teams will be deployed to: under-represented groups, local outbreaks/ areas of high incidence, local businesses/offices/workplaces, community events, leisure and tourist hotspots (eg parks/beaches/markets), areas where test centres have closed and there is a continued need for support with regular testing.

Changes to Suffolk’s test centres as popularity of home testing grows

Go to a test site

You can go to a rapid lateral flow test site to get a rapid test.

If you go to a test site:

• you may need an appointment, so check before you go
• a trained helper might be able to help you do the test
• you'll get a text or email with the result when it's ready

Find your nearest rapid lateral flow test site

Get a test to do at home

You can get rapid tests to do at home.

You can collect up to 2 packs of 7 tests from a local pharmacy, library or test site:

• find a pharmacy where you can collect rapid tests
• find a test site where you can collect rapid tests
• Suffolk Libraries

You can get a pack of 7 tests sent to your home. Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK

If you do tests at home, you'll need to report your results online or on the phone.

School, college and nursery testing

If you attend or work at a school, college or nursery you can get rapid tests through your school, college or nursery.

If you're in a childcare or support bubble with someone who attends or works at a school, college or nursery, you can get a rapid test at a rapid lateral flow test site or order tests to do at home.

You're advised to do a test twice a week.

Primary school-age children and younger do not need to test.

Employee and university testing

Some employers and universities offer rapid tests. Ask your employer or university if they provide rapid tests.

More information: Regular rapid coronavirus tests if you do not have symptoms

Find your nearest community testing centre

** Changes to Suffolk’s test centres as popularity of home testing grows **

Community testing is also referred to as lateral flow testing or rapid testing. It's a major tool to help identify and isolate individuals who have COVID-19 but do not have symptoms and may be spreading the virus to other people without knowing. 

You can book an appointment online

You can also call 0333 772 6144.

**However, if you have one of the following symptoms you must book a symptomatic test by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test**

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

The NHS will contact you when it's your turn to have the vaccine. Do not contact the NHS for a vaccination before then. For all local vaccination information please see Suffolk and North East Essex COVID-19 Vaccination Service: https://sneevaccine.org.uk/

Including:

• Vaccine eligibility
• Making an appointment
• Attending the appointment
• FAQs

The NHS is using a range of community buildings, GP premises and hospitals to deliver vaccinations. 

Vaccination centres in Suffolk

You may be asked for your NHS number to have your covid vaccination

Find your NHS number

Before you start

You will need your name, date of birth and postcode. You will be sent a text, email or letter with your NHS number.

If you are using this service for someone else, enter their information. They will be sent their NHS number.

Once you have an appointment booked, call Connecting Communities to arrange transport. Connecting Communities will be charged at a normal bus fare rate. Tel 0345 606 6171

https://communities.suffolkonboard.com/ 

Or see what other options are available: Community Transport in Suffolk

It may take a week or two for your body to build up some protection from the first dose of vaccine. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, so you should continue to take recommended precautions to avoid infection. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and a full course will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill. We do not yet know whether it will stop you from catching and passing on the virus, but we do expect it to reduce this risk. So, it is still important to follow the guidance in your local area to protect those around you.

To protect yourself and your family, friends and colleagues you still need to:

• practice social distancing
• wear a face mask
• wash your hands carefully and frequently
• follow the current guidance

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-what-to-expect-after-vaccination/what-to-expect-after-your-covid-19-vaccination

The NHS will never charge for a coronavirus vaccine, so anyone claiming to offer you a booking over the phone or online who asks for payment or bank details is attempting to scam you.

Examples of HM Revenue & Customs related phishing emails, suspicious phone calls and texts:

• HMRC is aware of a phishing campaign telling customers they can claim a tax refund to help protect themselves from the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Do not reply to the email and do not open any links in the message.

• HMRC is aware of coronavirus (COVID-19) SMS scams telling customers they can claim a ‘goodwill payment’. Do not reply to the SMS and do not open any links in the message.

• HMRC is aware of a SMS scam which states you will be fined £250 for leaving the house more than once. The message asks recipients to call an 0800 telephone number to appeal. Do not reply to the SMS or call the phone number listed.

** Report scams to Suffolk Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 **

Help out with our response to the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing information with family, friends, colleagues and community groups:

• Become a Message Cascader

• New lockdown rules from 12 April 2021 (PDF, 257KB) 12/04/2021

• Community testing (PDF, 389KB) 03/02/2021

• Self isolation financial support (PDF, 409KB) 01/02/2021

• Vaccinations (PDF, 430KB) 18/01/2021

• Lockdown rules (PDF, 312KB) 07/01/2021

• Find infographics plus other COVID-19 information in other languages

Easy read versions

• COVID-19 vaccinations (PDF, 751KB) 11/02/2021

Suffolk Learning Disability Partnership

Easy read guide - COVID-19 vaccine