200 Dorset care home tests thrown away after courier arrived late

They'd been completed by staff and residents.

Author: Maria Greenwood Published 21st Sep 2020

It's claimed around 200 Covid-19 tests carried out at a Dorset care home had to be thrown away.

The tests because invalid because the courier arrived too late to collect them.

Dorset Councillor Laura Miller has now written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to voice her concerns.

In her letter she said:

"This would be unfortunate were it a one off, but is unacceptable as it is a common occurrence."

Cllr Miller told Matt Hancock another issue Dorset faces is that the Pillar 2 testing programme is being run "as if it is a commercial operation, with frequent references to slots being sold out."

She adds:

"I am very concerned that the national policy of essentially turning off the supply of local testing slots to protect the lab capacity for high priority areas will disproportionately affect us here in Dorset.

"If this national approach continues it would seem likely that the region with fewest cases (South West) will ultimately be at the back of the queue until lab capacity has significantly improved, which could take considerable time.

"Please give us clear updates that we can be honest with the public about."