Rosalind Franklin NHS Test and Trace

Overview

In 2021 the government made the decision to build a new, very high volume ‘megalab’ in Leamington Spa as part of its response to COVID-19 and the large demand for testing. This lab would form a key part of the UK’s national infrastructure to respond to future epidemics as well as adding diagnostic capacity for other critical illnesses, including cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

 

The Challenge

This new megalab will generate employment opportunities in the local area and, once fully staffed and operating at full capacity, will have a skilled workforce of up to 2,000 people. It was recognised that to fulfil their recruitment targets, they would need a local recruitment business to assist with their goal. Our combination of local geographical knowledge and in-depth Life Sciences recruitment skills ensured that Fuel Recruitment were the only local recruitment business who were engaged to assist in recruiting the workforce for the laboratory.

 

The Solution

In January 2021 we started a recruitment drive for Lab Technicians, Biomedical Scientists, Data Scientists, Quality Professionals and Lab Managers. As well as supporting the megalab we were soon asked to recruit for Bracknell and Plymouth NHS Lighthouse Laboratories.

 

The Outcome

The megalab opened in Royal Leamington Spa in June 2021 and is the biggest of its kind in the UK, playing a vital role in efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The lab was named the Rosalind Franklin laboratory.

In 2021 we supplied over 250 lab workers to the UK network of Lighthouse laboratories and were ranked the number one supplier in our area of expertise.

With the introduction of over 250 lab workers in 2021 and the continuing support of those contractors in 2022, we feel honoured to have played a part in helping to staff the laboratories in which over 5 million PCR tests have been carried out. Every test is important in reducing the transmission of the virus in our communities and helps to understand our progress in controlling the pandemic. The significant boost in diagnostic capabilities within the laboratories will also be used for other critical illnesses including cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases which will help save the lives of generations to come.

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