There is a lot of confusion over who is to blame for the situation in the Rhondda so thought I would try and cut through the misinformation and general Twitter fury.
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[Thread]
So testing in Wales is split between the Welsh & UK Government.
Most of the drive in centres you see are run by the UK Gov (through Deloitte/Serco etc).
At present about 75% of Wales' testing is done by the UK Gov (though since the start of the crisis Wales has done more).
Most of the drive in centres you see are run by the UK Gov (through Deloitte/Serco etc).
At present about 75% of Wales' testing is done by the UK Gov (though since the start of the crisis Wales has done more).
Why so confusing? Good question.
It stems back to March when the UK Gov opened a testing centre in the Cardiff City Stadium without properly discussing with WG or PHW.
So for better or worse, we have a duel system (1 of which tests by putting up the nose and 1 who doesn't).
It stems back to March when the UK Gov opened a testing centre in the Cardiff City Stadium without properly discussing with WG or PHW.
So for better or worse, we have a duel system (1 of which tests by putting up the nose and 1 who doesn't).
The UK Government testing, AKA the Lighthouse Labs, are at breaking point at the moment because of a huge increase in demand. They simply can't cope.
This is why we are seeing people in Cardiff being sent to Inverness for a test.
This is why we are seeing people in Cardiff being sent to Inverness for a test.
The centre in the Rhondda is a Lighthouse Lab one. Faced with the increased demand it seems that the UK Gov has decided to limit the amount of tests that testing centres can do.
In the Rhondda, the centre can do up to 500 a day.
Late yesterday the UK Gov seems to have limited it to just 60. Following pressure from the Welsh Gov that was increased to 120.
Still woefully short of what is needed given the current situation in places like Porth.
Late yesterday the UK Gov seems to have limited it to just 60. Following pressure from the Welsh Gov that was increased to 120.
Still woefully short of what is needed given the current situation in places like Porth.
When Serco reach 120 tests today they will leave.
So the Welsh Ambulance Service, RCT Council and Cwm Taf HB have set up a temporary operation over night.
Ambulance staff will do the tests and health board labs will test the samples.
So the Welsh Ambulance Service, RCT Council and Cwm Taf HB have set up a temporary operation over night.
Ambulance staff will do the tests and health board labs will test the samples.
But there is still a problem. The UK Gov site for booking tests is unable to be amended to show the increased capacity that has been created. So it still shows just 120 slots.
This means the council are asking people to attend the walk in without an appointment but....
This means the council are asking people to attend the walk in without an appointment but....
The problem with this is that too many people may attend (there are already queues) so the council is urging people to only come if they have symptoms and to maintain social distancing.
There are going to be 840 tests available over the weekend BUT this will fall massively on Monday when the Welsh Ambulance Service have to leave.
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