AQW 7430/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 23/09/2020
Answered On Date: 12/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the current daily COVID-19 testing capacity; and for his assessment of the adequacy of this capacity.

Answer:

Overall testing capacity is continually reviewed by my Department and there are active discussions underway to further enhance capacity across both aspects of our current testing programme.

Pillar 1 testing is delivered via Health and Social Care laboratories and laboratories operating as part of the Scientific Advisory Consortium. My Department is actively working with colleagues in the Public Health Agency and in the Health and Social Care Trusts to ensure that Pillar 1 testing capacity increases further.

Pillar 2 testing is delivered through participation in the National Testing Programme managed by the Department of Health and Social care in London (DHSC). Demand for testing has increased significantly across the UK in recent weeks and I am aware that the National Testing Programme is currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand. Officials here continue to link with DHSC on a regular basis to ensure that testing capacity through Pillar 2 is enhanced for Northern Ireland

Optimising available testing capacity will continue to me a key priority for me and for my officials in the weeks and months ahead.