Home delivery rapid tests STILL unavailable while ministers say take a lateral flow before going out
Government blames ‘global shortage’ for Covid test chaos that threatens New Year plans: Tory MP says ministers are ‘buying all that’s available’ as world suffers shortfall of kits – with lateral flows unavailable for THIRD day and PCRs run out
Lateral flow tests unavailable for a second day running, the Government statedThis is at least the sixth time lateral flow tests have been unavailable for deliveryThe Government has meanwhile urged people to pick up tests from pharmacies It comes as Britons check to ensure they are Covid-free ahead of New Year’s Eve
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The Government has blamed a ‘global shortage’ of testing supplies for the lateral flow and PCR chaos that threatens to keep families and friends from celebrating New Year’s Eve together.
Ministers have advised people to take regular lateral flow tests before they socialise after confirming on Monday that no new Covid restrictions would be brought in for New Year’s Eve festivities.
But all over the country, Brits are having trouble getting tested as pharmacies have reported sending people away empty-handed while lateral flow tests have been unavailable for home delivery for the third day in a row.
For those who need a PCR test, there were no available appointments at any walk-in centres in England or Northern Ireland as of midday.
As of 2pm, slots briefly opened up in the North West of England but then became unavailable again while Scotland also showed ‘very few available’ appointments.
In a bid to help his constituents, Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale said he had been told by ministers that there was a ‘world shortage’ of testing supplies.
The MP for North Thanet said on Twitter: ‘Kent appears to be in Lateral Flow and PCR Test gridlock. Manston staff working flat out, no stocks in chemists and no East Kent delivery slots available.’
He later added: ‘I have spoken to Secretary of State, there is a world shortage of Lateral Flow & PCR test supplies, but we are buying all that’s available.
‘Best advice to constituents – keep trying online, as stock are being released hourly.’
The UK Health Security Agency said it was facing ‘unprecedented demand’ for the tests but insisted it had doubled its capacity since mid December, sending out 900,000 a day across the country.
It urged people to check the relevant Government websites regularly to see if slots had opened up or tests had become available.
Earlier today, pharmacists called for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests as they say people are being turned away every five minutes due to ‘patchy’ supply.
The industry body said it was frustrating that chemists it represented were having to wait several days for each delivery.
Pharmacists are calling for urgent action to improve the supply of lateral flow tests ahead of NYE. People have also faced difficulties ordering testing kits for home delivery (pictured)
Britons can pick up lateral flow tests for free from a pharmacy listed on the NHS website
Tory MP Sir Roger Gale says he has been told by Government there is a world shortage
Pharmacies across the country have reported shortages of LFTs and many are unable to replenish their kits as the supply chain has been affected by Christmas and New Year holidays.
Some pharmacies reported they have not had stock since last Monday and it could take three days for new supplies to arrive.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme: ‘Pharmacies are reporting that every five minutes people are coming in and asking for tests.
‘But unfortunately, due to the issues around supply being patchy and inconsistent, it means those who come for the tests don’t always get it which is very stressful, not just for the pharmacy team but also for the patients.
‘The scale of the problem is huge because the demand is high due to the current guidelines and people are doing the responsible thing by wanting to be tested.
An out of stock lateral flow test sign on a window of a Boots pharmacy in London earlier today
Pharmacists say they are turning people away empty handed due to a shortage of LTF supplies
As of this morning there were no available appointments at PCR testing sites and testing kits were also showing as unavailable for home delivery on the Government’s website this morning
Care Minister Gillian Keegan urged people to get tested before going to parties but pharmacists said the supply is ‘patchy’ and said people are being sent away empty handed
‘[900,000 kits a day] just isn’t enough to meet the demand and it’s patchy. Some days you get one box delivered to you and some days you get none so it just isn’t enough for pharmacies to give to patients.
‘This has been going on for some weeks now and what we are asking the Government to ensure that they promptly address the supply issues to meet the high demand and also address the cumbersome processes for the supply of this, the bureaucratic processes.’
The Government’s website urges people to go to their pharmacies to get tests and only order online if they are unable to do so.
The website currently states it is not possible to order lateral flow testing kits for home delivery with a message stating: ‘Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now.
‘You may still be able to pick up rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy or collection point, where these are available. Only pick up tests if you do not have symptoms.’
People have been left frustrated as they try and ensure they stay Covid-free ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations this weekend and have been urged to test regularly by the Government.
Speaking to broadcasters about New Year celebrations yesterday, Care Minister Gillian Keegan said: ‘We have always said ”act cautiously” since this new variant came among us.
‘It is highly infectious and many people will know people who have caught this over the Christmas period.
‘So do be cautious, take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) before you go out. Go to well-ventilated areas – I have been to a couple of outdoor parties actually, people have moved things to outside.
‘So just be cautious, but do try to enjoy yourself as well – but cautiously.’
A UKHSA spokesperson encouraged members of the public to revisit the Government website every few hours.
‘Despite unprecedented demand, we are continuing to supply millions of rapid lateral flow tests every day.
‘Our total delivery capacity has doubled to 900,000 test kits per day since Saturday 18 December so more people can order tests.
‘During periods of exceptional demand there may be temporary pauses in ordering or receiving tests, to ensure we manage distribution across the system and support changing requirements for lateral flow device and PCR tests, and delivery capacity was reduced over Christmas and the bank holiday.’
The government website also suggested: ‘If you have tests at home, including ones that children have brought home from school, you can use these instead.’
It also said that the 119 service ‘does not have access to more home delivery slots right now’.
A UKHSA spokesperson added: ‘Rapid tests are available to order directly to people’s homes via gov.uk and availability is refreshed regularly throughout the day.
‘We encourage people to re-visit the site every few hours if they are unable to order tests as more will become available – and to please ensure they are making use of any tests they already have at home before ordering or collecting more.’
UK Government statistics show how the number of Covid tests being conducted has reached 1.5m a day, with the number of swabs carried out having shot up since Omicron first emerged
The situation has been branded a ‘shambles’ by Labour MPs.
Shadow minister for public health Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Denton and Reddish, tweeted: ‘What an utter shambles. It’s not as if you couldn’t have expected an increase in demand as people return to work after the Christmas holidays.
‘Ministers need to urgently sort this out before schools return too.’
His colleague Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, agreed, adding: ‘The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles. Ministers are nowhere to be seen.
‘They need to get a grip and make enough tests available so that people can keep themselves and everyone else safe.’
Meanwhile, Labour MP Stella Creasy said: ‘Lack of Covid tests and delays in processing them doesn’t just mean a lag in data.
‘For anyone immunocomprised [sic] a PCR test [is] critical to getting antivirals prescription – they have a window of 5 days to get them for them to work, so any delay in being affects chances of treatment.’
Last week, a public health expert warned people to use tests ‘responsibly’ amid the shortage.
Azeem Majeed, head of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, said on Twitter: ‘I am hearing about people carrying out multiple lateral flow tests in a single day.
‘The tests are in short supply in many parts of England and this kind of practice will exacerbate supply problems, including for key workers such as NHS staff. Please use the tests responsibly.’
This is at least the seventh time lateral flow tests have been unavailable for delivery while the government urges people to collect tests from their local pharmacies.
