What efforts has the Welsh Government made to secure cheaper COVID-19 testing for Welsh citizens?
The arrangement for Corporate Travel Management (CTM) to provide a booking service for NHS tests was made with the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The price for NHS tests booked through the platform is the same throughout the UK. DHSC has advised that CTM is an established provider of hotel bookings, therefore using them to provide the test booking service enabled their existing systems and processes to be used for both Red arrival quarantine hotels as well as packages for Amber and Green arrivals. This meant that international travel could be opened up more quickly and cost-effectively.
The NHS-provided PCR tests used for international travel are procured centrally by DHSC as part of the National Testing Programme. The price of NHS tests is set by DHSC. They have advised that NHS tests have been made available at the market mid-point to ensure tests are available at an appropriate cost. The cost is currently £170 for two tests, and £88 for one test.
There is a list of private test providers on the UK Government’s website that offer PCR testing, sometimes at cheaper prices. The UK Government does not endorse or recommend any of these providers. The Welsh Government is concerned about the level of service provided by some of these private providers across a range of issues, including booked tests not being delivered and people not being notified of results. We are working with the UK Government to seek assurance that only those companies that reach specified key performance indicators will be allowed to provide tests. When we are assured the right systems are in place to protect the Welsh public, we will review the position.