KGH hosted Government 'Covid passports' trial

A Government trial of 'Covid passports' took place at Kettering General Hospital earlier this month, it has been revealed.

A small number of staff at the Rothwell Road site were involved in testing the use of the NHS App for Covid status certification, which would show if a person has been vaccinated or recently tested negative for the virus.

As first reported by political website Guido Fawkes, the secret trial featured 12 members of staff and ran for four days, starting on April 19.

The operation - reported to be the Government's first domestic 'Covid passport' trial - attempted to replicate the “experience of using status certification to enter a venue”.

A leaked NHSX document said this would allow the Government to “start to test data feeds, points of contact, user experience, user research and live feedback”, Guido Fawkes reported.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said: "The government is working on providing individuals with the means to demonstrate their Covid status easily – through a digital route, as well as one that works for people who don't have access to a smartphone.

"Security and privacy will be fundamental to our approach.

“Use of the NHS App is being considered as part of the digital route, and Kettering General Hospital tested this potential technology."

A KGH spokesman said they were unable to comment further.

The NHS app is already capable of allowing patients to view their vaccination status if their GP has permitted access. This is not a new feature and applies to all vaccines.

There will be no legal requirement for a 'Covid passport' under stage three of the Government's roadmap to lifting Covid restrictions, where pubs and restaurants can open indoors from May 17 at the earliest.

The Government has already said some settings, including essential shops, will never require a 'Covid passport'.

The use of 'Covid passports' look set to be rolled out to allow large events to be held safely and help re-open the economy.

But dozens of MPs have criticised them, saying they would be discriminatory and divisive.