About the COVID-19: contact tracing at the community level programme
Contact tracing is an important public health tool used to control the spread of a variety of infectious diseases. It is also an essential part of infection prevention and control. In the context of COVID-19, it has helped to break the chain of transmission within communities, across the country and around the world. On a community level, COVID-19 has presented a range of unique challenges to the population of Greater Manchester. In response to these challenges, Greater Manchester has been proactive in establishing a local Contact Tracing response in support of our communities during this difficult time. Together with local public health experts and academic colleagues at University of Salford, we are pleased to provide this free learning tool along with guidance and sources that we hope will improve the effectiveness of the contact tracing response within our local community.
About this course
In response to the complex challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased demand for effective contact tracing at a local level. This requires the hard work of thousands of people, many of whom will have to learn these skills quickly.
Introduction to contact tracing
This introductory module is designed to introduce learners to contact tracing as a public health tool within the context of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). Learners will gain a better understanding of COVID-19 as a communicable disease, how it is spread from person-to person, how to apply the contact tracing model to a variety of scenarios and understand approaches to consequence management.
Learners should:
a) understand what COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is
b) understand the theory and practice behind contact tracing
c) understand how to apply the contact tracing model as a disease preventing tool
d) explore consequence management as a means of reducing risk
Introduction to infection control
In this module, learners will be introduced to the concept of infection prevention and control as well as components of outbreak management. We will present the concept and purpose of health education and promotion within the contact tracing model, explore some of the immediate challenges of contact tracing and look at a variety of adapted case studies managed by local contact tracers.
Learners should:
a) understand what is meant by infection prevention and control
b) explore methods of problem solving in contact tracing
c) address misinformation within the context of COVID-19
d) consider the role of contact tracing in a variety of settings
Programme information
Audience: The programme is aimed at learners at beginner/entry level.
Duration: The programme should take around 1 hour to complete.
Certificate: Learners can save and print a certificate of completion.
Meet the Project team
Harvey Kennedy-Pitt, MPH, PGCE, FRSPH
Training and Volunteering Officer, Greater Manchester Integrated Contact Tracing Hub
Emma Nye
Programme Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Alice Denham
Lead Learning Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
Curriculum Content Developers
Dr. Cristina Vasilica, PhD, FHEA
School of Health and Society, University of Salford
Dr. Dilla Davis, PhD, FHEA, RGN
School of Health and Society, University of Salford
Matthew Wynn, BNurs
School of Health and Society, University of Salford
Kyle Charnley, FHEA, RMN
School of Health and Society, University of Salford
Peer Reviewers
Dave Boulger
Head of Population Health Transformation Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership
Merav Kliner
Consultant in Communicable Disease Control Public Health England
Theresa Shryane
Clinical Lead- Greater Manchester Integrated Contact Tracing Hub Public Health England
Katie Bretherton
Service Manager Greater Manchester Integrated Contact Tracing Hub Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership
Professor Penny Cook
School of Health and Society University of Salford
Catherine Hay
Team Lead Public Health England
How to access
In order to access the COVID Contact tracing programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the COVID Contact tracing programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the COVID Contact tracing programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.