What plans does the Welsh Government have for ensuring continuation of lateral flow test supplies for pharmacies in Wales?
The UK Testing Programme supplies a population share of LFTs to Wales. There has been no shortage of LFT stock allocated to Wales but due to exceptionally high demand the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has had distribution issues over Christmas and New Year that has impacted Wales.
Working with the UKHSA we have increased distribution to pharmacies in Wales. We are also taking steps to reduce demand on pharmacies by increasing the availability of LFTs through other channels.
Working with local authorities and other partners we are opening additional LFT collection points in libraries, leisure centres, community hubs and similar venues. From Monday 17 January 2022, people in Wales will be able to collect LFTs when they visit a Regional, Local or Mobile Test Site for a PCR test. We also continue to offer tests to public and private sector organisations through our workplace testing programme.
Capacity to deliver tests directly to people’s homes across the UK has also significantly increased to 1 million test packs a day during the week commencing the 10 January 2022.