A PILOT contact tracing scheme launched by Hillingdon Council this month, to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, is already seeing positive results. 

It is one of several local authorities taking part in the ‘Local-0’ scheme, which enables them to support more quickly residents who test positive.

Those in Hillingdon who get a positive COVID-19 test will get a call from the council, rather than being contacted by a national call centre.

Localising the service helps the council get people more immediate access to help, such as the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

Through Local-0, the details of any residents testing positive are shared with Hillingdon Council  

The borough contact tracing team will then then call the person to ensure they’ve filled in the NHS questionnaire to show who they’ve had contact with, when their symptoms started and places they’ve visited. This helps make the process more personal. 

Cllr Ian Edwards, leader of Hillingdon Council, said: "We're doing all we can to ensure those who test positive in our borough get the all the help they need as quickly as possible.

“Under the previous system, some residents had already been contacted multiple times to complete the questionnaire and so were understandably less receptive by the time the council got in touch. 

“Being first point of contact means residents have someone familiar make contact at what is likely to be a difficult time.”

The scheme went live on April 6 and the team is reaching nine out of 10 people. 

To date, more than 270 residents have been contacted. 

Find out more and apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment at www.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payment