The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
A PRIVATE testing centre for Covid-19 is to come on stream in the Clare/Limerick area, with a drive-through facility, as well as mobile testing units for large organisations.
The development by healthcare company RocDoc was announced this week, as the company expands its operations. The company will also create 200 new jobs at the facilities in the Midwest, as well as in counties Meath and Cork.
While specific details of the location in the Clare/Limerick area were not released, plans for its opening are said to be well advanced.
At its existing clinic in Ashbourne, County Meath, the private company offers molecular tests using what is referred to as Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology. Results are available within a few hours, depending on what kind of service is requested.
Currently, in order to attend a State-run Covid-19 testing centre, patients must have a referral from a doctor. However, people can attend the private RocDoc centres and get tested without the need to contact a GP first.
The company said it is in the process of recruiting for swabbing staff, medical professionals and customer care staff to meet the demand for rapid testing. It is understood that businesses, particularly those in the agri-food and other essential sectors, form a large part of RocDoc’s current testing clientele.
RocDoc CEO David Rock said the company can offer large organisations same-day test results.
“RocDoc also offers a mobile category two laboratory and testing facility which can meet the needs of large organisations that require same day results,” he said. “This means we can offer businesses on-site, express testing of staff which helps them keep their businesses open.”
RocDoc launched the first private drive-through Covid-19 testing service in August. The company has over 20 years of experience in providing field hospital units for music festivals and concerts. RocDoc also provides support for the annual Dublin City Marathon, where they provide over 150 medical professionals and 15 ambulances.
