What assessment has been made of the impact on lateral flow tests supplies in Wales further to the loan of four million tests to the UK Government?
The short term loan of lateral flow tests to the UK Government have now been returned to the Wales allocation of tests, procured on behalf of all nations by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The loan helped to support England and the wider UK distribution channels that we also rely on over a short period as additional supplies of tests flowed into warehouses across the UK.
During January we have worked with UKHSA to ensure increased distribution capacity to maximise deliveries and movement of supplies to Wales to meet demand. This has involved delivering nearly 5m tests a week to pharmacies, people’s homes, local collection points, health, social care, education settings and other workplaces.