Successful partnership helps increase COVID-19 testing in Gwynedd and Anglesey

Over 400 key workers in Gwynedd and Anglesey are now being tested on a weekly basis thanks to partnership work between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and a leading housing association.

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, offices belonging to North Wales’ largest social housing provider, Adra, at Parc Menai in Bangor have been converted into a testing centre.

Teresa Owen, Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s Executive Director of Public Health, said: “We were approached by Adra very early on during the pandemic who offered us their facilities to be used as a testing centre for key workers.

“Adra’s Tŷ Coch office on Parc Menai is ideally placed in terms of layout and proximity to road networks and Ysbyty Gwynedd, so that key workers can have an appointment to be tested.

“At a time when we need to work very differently, it was good to know that local partners like Adra could deploy staff to work swiftly with us to ensure that setting up Tŷ Coch was achieved efficiently and safely.

“This now means that key workers, including local authority staff, NHS workers, and others identified as a priority group for testing, can receive an appointment to be tested locally.

“We have set up a network of testing units across North Wales, and the Parc Menai site is ideal in terms of accessibility.”

Iwan Trefor Jones, Deputy Chief Executive of Adra, said: “Having recently invested in new technology to support remote working within the company, the transition to get staff to work from home worked very well for us.

“This meant that one of our largest office space at Parc Menai, Tŷ Coch, became empty as soon as lockdown was announced. We have worked hard over the past couple of years to develop a good working relationship to support the NHS that include some exciting projects in innovative technology and keyworker accommodation. This all shows what we can all achieve and add value when we partner up to achieve vital support to fight the pandemic together.”

Notes to Editors:

Adra is a provider of homes in North Wales, providing over 6,300 homes across and services for over 14,000 customers and working for the benefit of local communities by safeguarding, promoting and assisting them to develop.