Thread by @peterkwells

Looking forward to reading trial reports (both Yorks & IoW). In 21c no one sensible would roll out a new public health service nationally without sharing trial reports for both democratic scrutiny & to give citizens an informed view on stuff. Would they? thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-co…

I mean it's fairly obvious that in absence of trial reports then we risk *checks notes* inaccurate reports about effectiveness and trustworthiness of new service that could unfairly damage public trust. Far better to trust the public & give them information and power.

Checking in on reports from trial of new English test & contact tracing service on IoW. Some stuff in press but mostly about recruitment of contact tracers & # of downloads of app.

Nothing on effectiveness in tackling Coronavirus that I can see?

Still nothing on overall test & trace strategy, trial design & no progress reports on the NHS (app-focused) website >insert sad face here<

covid19.nhs.uk

The github repos for the app has minor changes to security text & an API key for iOs. No visible change in Google play store. (I didn't check Appleappstore, expect same).

github.com/nhsx/COVID-19-…

github.com/nhsx/COVID-19-…

Looks like a data dictionary has been added, that's new to me github.com/nhsx/COVID-19-…

github.com/nhsx/COVID-19-…

(Back-end source code was committed to release but is still missing)

But to repeat myself _again_, the bigger gap is the overall test+tracing strategy, trial design & evaluation reports, & programme progress reports.

Everyone knows how important this is & everyone* wants this to work. Cut down the noise. Share the progress :)

* except silly ppl

Has anyone checked if there is any statistically meaningful variation between IoW & other places since intro of app? Evidence is good.

“Many have noted a marked increase in the number of people out and about on the Isle of Wight in the last two weeks”

onthewight.com/isle-of-wight-…

(Yes, I looked on the NHS app website,covid19.nhs.uk, first. No, there was no update on the trial there. Yes, I think trials are necessary and good. Yes, I think sharing results from trials are vital both for trial participants and others. #faqs)

(Yes, I’ve got a maths degree. No, I didn’t do much statistics - I like(d) the pure maths stuff. Yes, it was a 2:2. Yes, that still counts. Yes, it was a very very long time ago. Yes, zero had been invented then - cheeky blighter.)

*does daily check on NHSX blogs nhsx.nhs.uk/blogs/ and dedicated Coronavirus website website covid19.nhs.uk for any update from Isle of Wight trial*

*finds nothing*

*sets alarm for tomorrow*

(Btw today I've seen the IDOX, NHSX contact tracing & Cummings' alleged sister story in two local Facebook groups and two FB friend's posts. Openness & facts are not the only tool against conspiracah stuff, but they can help)

Heard a bit at today’s UK gov Coronavirus press conference about what has been learnt from the trials of app and broader track/trace activities in Isle of Wight. Great!

*clicks refresh to learn from trial reports*

*puts on sad face clown makeup*

My daily check on gov.uk websites for outputs from Isle of Wight trial of both app and broader test + trace activities shows nothing.

ICYMI then Isle of Wight journalists have also been ignored by senior folk at NHSE & PHE for 8 days.

onthewight.com/why-are-questi…

DHSC has told @onthewight that they’ll be publishing some data from the IoW trial of NHSX contact tracing app “near the end of next week” onthewight.com/why-are-questi…

I missed that Bob Seeley, IoW MP, has been given some numbers on UK contact tracing app trial. Not a real evaluation though.

(Before hares start running I'm assuming the bit about needing the app to get to mainland is a misspeak that @NHSX will clear up)

countypress.co.uk/news/18481960.…

I see @onthewight reports that despite promises from DHSC a week and a bit ago their questions about contact tracing app trial evaluation have not yet been answered. In a subplot the council also has data but won't share as it's "not our data"

onthewight.com/simple-questio…

@onthewight Meanwhile BBC reports that a second version of the contact tracing app will be launched?trialled? In IoW next week, with more symptom questions & new testing process bbc.co.uk/news/technolog…