Call for Hull uni students and staff to be prioritised for coronavirus testing

Unison members say the University of Hull should set up its own coronavirus testing facility after it was revealed one already on campus would not prioritise students and staff.

Leonie Sharp, a regional organiser in higher education for the trade union, said the university should use its own labs to test staff and students.

James Rowson, chair of the university’s Unison branch, said the move would help keep staff, students and the local community safe.

A university spokesperson said they welcomed the union’s proposal, but added their efforts were focused on lobbying the government to give students and staff priority at the Inglemire Lane centre.

The call comes after University of Hull Vice-Chancellor Susan Lea wrote to staff saying teaching must continue after one student tested positive for coronavirus last week, with others self-isolating.

It also follows coronavirus outbreaks at the universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh Napier and Manchester Metropolitan, which have seen students ordered to self-isolate in halls of residence.

Ms Sharp said the University of Hull should adopt Unison’s “ambitious” proposals.

The organiser said:

“It’s ridiculous that the new government controlled testing facilities on campus aren’t prioritising students and staff.

“That’s why we are calling for the University of Hull to use its own laboratory space to set up a coronavirus testing centre.

“These proposals are ambitious, but not beyond the capability of the University of Hull.”

The chair of the university’s Unison branch said:

“Every year students get freshers’ flu, so you don’t have to be a virologist to work out that students returning might cause a spread in the virus.

“The fact that so many people with coronavirus are asymptomatic means that students and campus staff should be prioritised for testing.

“Students are a key part of our community and their university experience should be positive, but this needs to be managed safely, taking into account their possible exposure to the virus.

“This is about keeping staff, students and by extension the local community, safe.”

The University of Hull spokesperson said the well being of students, staff and those in the wider community was a “priority”.

The spokesperson said:

“We welcome Unison’s interest in this issue and we will take their points on board. The Department of Health and Social Care’s Local Testing Station at Inglemire Lane is being operated by G4S.

“We have expressed to the Department of Health and Social Care and the operator that we would like to see staff, students and local residents have priority access to testing at this site.

“As this testing station is theirs, the decision on this is in their hands. Our priority is the health and well being of staff, students and people in the local community and our focus has been on encouraging government to provide priority access for these people at this site.”

The spokesperson said any student, staff member or person in the wider community with coronavirus symptoms should book a test with the NHS.

They added a campaign was now underway to encourage students to abide by social distancing rules and government guidelines, with efforts to be kept under regular review.

A spokesperson for G4S said they only ran the Inglemire Lane centre and had no control over bookings.

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.