NHS app - Where the Isle of Wight goes, Britain follows

Dear Resident

The day we have all been waiting for?!  Please see below for information on the trial NHS app that we are being encouraged to use if our phones have the technology.  Should you wish to go directly to the essential information then the link is at the end.

Best wishes
Sheila
Mrs Sheila Caws
Clerk to Arreton Parish Council


"Where the Isle of Wight goes, Britain follows"

The leader of the Isle of Wight Council has urged all Islanders to help turn the Island into a “beacon of light” at this time of need and help lead the nation out of the darkness of coronavirus.

On the day when all Island residents have been given access to the new NHS COVID-19 contact-tracing app, council leader Dave Stewart encouraged Islanders to make their mark in history by playing a pivotal role in the fightback against the virus.

He said: “Make no mistake, this could be one of the most important days in the history of the Isle of Wight. We have been asked to lead on the development of this pioneering technology and with your support, we can give a great response.

“So today I urge you all to download the NHS COVID-19 app and turn our Island into a shining beacon of light that will lead the nation out of this darkness.

“I make this plea not as a politician but as a father, grandfather and proud Islander — please do what’s right for the health of your own families, for everyone you love, for our special Island community and for the nation.

“By downloading this app, you are standing shoulder to shoulder with Britain’s leading scientists at the frontline of the coronavirus threat — an invisible enemy that has already claimed the lives of 35 Islanders.

“This is our chance to make a difference in our own way that could help save the lives of millions.

“There is so much about this Island that fills me with pride — but most of all I’m proud of you. Our tight-knit community has risen to this unprecedented challenge with courage and commitment.

"We have suffered loss and endured pain and hardship, but now we are ready to lead the fightback.

“You have stayed at home, you have protected the NHS and all the key workers on the Island and you have saved lives, now I ask that you, please, do one more thing — download the app.

“Let us be the nation’s vanguard so that in years to come, Island schoolchildren will learn about the crucial role their community played in leading the nation out of this darkness and into the future.

"Now is our time so let’s seize the moment and show just what we can deliver — download the app and be part of history in the making."

Developed by the NHS with a team of world-leading scientists and doctors, the NHS COVID-19 app will play an important role in the fight against coronavirus.

If you develop symptoms of coronavirus, the app will:

anonymously warn other app users who have been near you;
provide advice from the NHS on the right action to take to help stop the virus spreading further; and
help you to get a swab test.
This is essential in allowing the country to stay one step ahead of the virus.

Island MP Bob Seely added: "This is an important day for the Isle of Wight, and by extension, the start of a crucial journey for our country. It is evident that there is tremendous enthusiasm among fellow Islanders to play their part over the coming weeks in rolling-out this app.

“This will not just help make us safer, but allow the Island to make a meaningful contribution to making the rest of the UK safer as well. I am proud that our community is rising to this challenge with such gusto.

“I would ask Island residents to not just download the app but encourage neighbours, friends, family and colleagues to do the same.

“All of us should stay at home, install the app, improve the tech, protect the NHS and all key workers and save lives. The more people use it, the more successful it will be. Working together we can help get our country back on its feet.

“There may be glitches with the app, but that’s how we are going to help: by shaping the system before it rolls out nationwide. If you encounter any difficulties, please provide this feedback – and your ideas on how to improve it – so we can help get this right.

“The Island is at the forefront of this ground-breaking innovation, as it has been many times before. As the Health Secretary said — where the Isle of Wight goes, Britain will follow. Let’s do it.”

Download the app at www.covid19.nhs.uk,

Isle of Wight Covid-19 app test, track and trace plan

Isle of Wight Covid-19 app test, track and trace plan

Isle of Wight residents will be the first to be offered access to a new contact tracing app, as part of Government action to test, track and trace to minimise the spread of Covid-19 and move towards safely reducing lockdown measures.

Everyone on the Island will receive access to the official NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app from this Thursday, with NHS and council staff able to download from 4pm tomorrow, Tuesday 5 May.

Part of a new test, track and trace programme, the app will work together with enhanced contact tracing services and swab testing for those with potential Covid-19 symptoms to help minimise the spread of Covid-19.

Developed by NHSX, the technology arm of the health service, and a team of world-leading scientists and doctors, the app is designed to significantly speed up contact tracing, helping reduce the chance of the virus spreading by enabling us to rapidly identify people most at risk of infection so they can take action to protect themselves, the people they care about and the NHS.

When someone reports symptoms through the app, it will detect any other app users that the person has been insignificant contact with over the past few days, including unknown contacts such as someone they may have sat next to on public transport.

The app will be able to anonymously alert these contacts and provide advice, including how to get a test to confirm whether or not they do have Covid-19. Users will be able to order tests through the app shortly.

For those who may not have access to the app, or the ability to use a smartphone, there will be an option to report symptoms and order tests in other ways.

As the integrated service develops, everyone who reports symptoms, including app users, will also be asked to record recent contacts using an online service (or through a telephone interview if they prefer), so that contact tracers can reach all contacts who may be at risk, whether or not those contacts are app users.

Contacts will then be alerted either by the app or by email/telephone - advising them to self-isolate or offering public health advice.

As the test, track and trace programme rolls out nationally, expected in mid-May, Public Health England will oversee the deployment of 18,000 additional contact tracers to support the programme.

This first phase is a major step forwards in government’s next phase of the coronavirus strategy and will improve understanding of how this new integrated approach to test, track and trace will work for the rest of the population.

NHS and council staff will be emailed a download link on Tuesday afternoon. From Thursday the app will then open for all residents on the Isle of Wight.

All households will receive a leaflet with clear instructions on how to download and use the app on Thursday, and a targeted marketing campaign will begin on Friday.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:

“The Isle of Wight is playing a vital role in this pioneering work to help keep Britain safe. This will pave the way for a nationwide roll-out when the time is right.

“Coronavirus is one of the greatest challenges our country has ever faced and this app will play a vital role in getting Britain back on her feet.

“The app will help control the spread of coronavirus by alerting people they may have come into contact with it and recommending appropriate action.

“This ground-breaking technology, combined with our heroic frontline health and social care staff, and both a nationwide contact tracing testing programme will ensure that we remain in the best position to move toward easing the lockdown.

Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX said:

"Technology can help us get the country back on its feet.

“By launching the NHS Covid-19 app we can reduce transmission of the virus by alerting people who may have been exposed, so they can take action to protect themselves, the people they care about and the NHS.

“When combined with testing and enhanced web and phone contact tracing, this will help the country return to normality and beat coronavirus.”

Deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van Tam said:

“By widespread testing those suspected to be infected with coronavirus, tracing their contacts and where appropriate advising them to self-isolate, we can slow the onward spread of the virus.

"This new app-based system, developed by technology experts in partnership with clinicians and scientists, will run alongside traditional contact tracing by PHE. If uptake and use are widespread it will give us the greatest room for manoeuvre to ease other social distancing measures.”

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director and director of health protection at Public Health England said:

 “Alongside the NHS Covid-19 app, PHE’s phone and web-based contact tracing will be a critical part of the Government’s strategy to get the country back to normal.

“Taking these first steps on the Isle of Wight will help us prepare for a scale-up of our contact tracing capacity, with an 18,000 strong team ensuring the contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases are followed up and given the information they need.”

The government has collaborated internationally and learned from examples of best practice across the world, which has informed the development of a bespoke approach that is right for the unique needs of the UK.

The app uses similar Bluetooth Low Energy technology to that employed by Australia, Norway, and Singapore among others.

The privacy and security of users’ data is a priority and NHSX has involved experts from the National Cyber Security Centre to advise on best practice through the app’s development. Data will only ever be used for NHS care, management, evaluation and research and the NHS will comply fully with the law around its use, including the Data Protection Act.

The Isle of Wight was chosen to trial the project because it has a single NHS Trust that covers all NHS services on the Island.

Its geography as an Island with a sizeable population makes it an ideal place to introduce the NHS COVID-19 app and wider testing service in its initial roll-out period.

Isle of Wight Council leader, Dave Stewart said:

“On behalf of the Island I am very pleased we can be the first place to use this new digital technology in the country.

“I have always been keen to ensure we keep our special community safe from the virus but at the same time explore ways to enable us to get back up on our feet and move forward from it. This scheme offers the tightly controlled approach we need to help us do just that.

“Widespread tracing and testing holds the key to this ambition and if we are able to help the country move forward then the Island will also have done its part in helping government in tackling this virus and rebuilding our lives through safe social distancing when the time is right.

“I am sure Islanders will rise to the challenge and help avoid post lockdown spread of the virus and keep people as safe as possible.”

The ambition of test and trace is to enable the UK to start to come out of some elements of lockdown. This will be a gradual process and our experts are considering how best to do this in a way that keeps citizens safe and protects our NHS.