Rutherford Health has announced that it has commenced coronavirus antibody testing for staff and patients throughout its network of Rutherford Cancer Centres.

Tests are being carried out at the centres in Reading, Newport (South Wales), Bedlington, Northumberland and Liverpool and are being processed at a laboratory in Neasden, Middlesex.

Data from the testing is being provided to Government ministers and advisers on testing.

Professor Karol Sikora, chief medical officer, Rutherford Health, said: “It is vital that patients are as safe as possible when they are being treated and testing will help enormously. It is also hugely important that medical and nursing staff know their status as they are mixing with patients on a daily basis.

“Our patients include those referred by the NHS and we are engaging in dialogue with the government over the data from our testing.”

Mike Moran, chief executive of Rutherford Health, said: “We were able to secure testing kits from South Korea which had been used successfully in Germany. Our primary concern is ensuring the safety of patients and staff.”