The drive-through at the British Library

A CORONAVIRUS testing “drive-through” has been set up in the car park of the British Library.

Dental nurses carry are swabbing NHS and social care staff with tests being analysed by scientists in the Francis Crick Institute.

The drive-through is run by NHS staff at the Royal National Ear, Nose and Throat and Eastman Dental Hospitals, which is part of the University College London Hospitals group.

It is an expansion of a previous service at Crick, in Somers Town, that was available to frontline NHS workers at University College Hospital only.

British Library head of estates Patrick Dixon said: “Our colleagues and service partners have worked closely with UCLH and the Francis Crick Institute to help deliver this facility and we’re very pleased to be able to support the ongoing struggle against COVID-19 in such a direct and tangible way.”

The new drive-through service means more key workers and members of their households with COVID-19 symptoms can be tested. NHS and social care staff must book appointments by email.

Dr Gee Yen Shin, a consultant virologist, added: “Getting a diagnosis is so important in this health emergency. We started with patient diagnostics, but we have not forgotten the importance of testing our hard-working staff. This partnership has helped us look after our colleagues”