ROUTINE Covid-19 staff testing has started at Warrington Hospital as part of a pilot scheme.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals Trust joined 10 other north west trusts in a 10-day pilot study in Covid-testing all asymptomatic front line staff.

This is part of a wider NHS England/Improvement project to strengthen efforts to prevent and control the spread of infection across the region.

A hospital spokesman said: "We already test symptomatic staff but this development is seen as a key step in supporting our staff and helping to protect our patients."

Staff shortages have been putting extra pressure on the hospital, with staff isolating when they get symptoms for coronavirus, without knowing whether they are positive or not.

It will also help to test people who have the virus without symptoms.