Question reference: S5W-28701
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 27 April 2020 Registered interest
-
Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is utilising the veterinary science sector to increase COVID-19 testing capacity.
Answer
Work on expanding testing for the NHS has focussed on NHS laboratories which already have arrangements in place for receiving samples from patients, testing safely and ensuring that the data from test results is captured. However, we are working with two laboratories based in the veterinary science sector to increase capacity: Biobest, and the Moredun Research Unit. Contracting is underway with both organisations.
This will further increase our testing capacity, which currently is as follows:
Active maximum weekday NHS lab capacity: over 10,000 tests a day;
Weekend capacity: around 8,000 tests a day.
In addition to this we have further capacity through the UKG run Lighthouse Laboratories. Glasgow Lighthouse Lab has capacity to process approximately 20,000 tests a day and may process tests taken from across the UK.
If organisations would like to submit offers of support they should contact the National Laboratories Programme Team or Scottish Enterprise who will share the survey to allow an assessment to be undertaken.