GPs surgeries should lead track and trace instead of car park testing, says former WHO director
GPs should be leading the test, track and trace system in the UK for faster, more trustworthy results, a former World Health Organisation (WHO) director has said.
Professor Anthony Costello was critical of the UK's test and trace system, arguing a more localised form of testing utilising GP surgeries would have been more effective.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have a system (of testing) that they've had for two months and it clearly isn't working well.
"I'm not convinced it is going to work."
Prof Costello argued that GP surgeries should have been used as testing hubs, with GPs who know patients' underlying illnesses monitoring patients who test positive for Covid-19 and contact tracers then linked to such a system.
"It is called the health service and, at the moment, we are focusing on car parks, call centres and apps - that's fine, they can add to that system maybe," he said.
"But it doesn't make sense to me that we are by-passing what is a world-beating system actually - our primary care system in the UK - and it would be in my view much more cost effective.
"And, crucially, not only would it introduce a faster turnaround in results, but you're trusted because everyone in this country by-and-large goes to the GP, and if you're not registered the local health authority can pick you up."
Track and trace system 'won't be ready until autumn'
The NHS test and trace system for Covid-19 is not expected to be "world class" until at least September, an executive of the scheme reportedly told staff.
Chief operating officer Tony Prestedge admitted in a webinar that the programme would be an "imperfect service at launch" that will "improve over time", The Guardian reports.
In a video obtained by the newspaper from May 27 - the day before the programme launched - Mr Prestedge is said to have told staff that the regime would operate at a world-class level "towards the September or October time".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs on May 20 the test and trace operation would be "world-beating".
Responding to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Johnson said: "He has heard that we have growing confidence that we will have a test, track and trace operation that will be world-beating, and yes, it will be in place by 1 June."
In a webinar for staff, Mr Prestedge is said to have told staff: "I am sure when Dido (Harding) announces this service later she will make clear that it is an imperfect service at launch that we will improve over time and make it world-class by the time that we are moving towards the September or October time."
He added: "We know it will be imperfect, we know it will be clunky but we ask you to help us improve the service."
Minister defends track and trace
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps defended the Government's track and trace system, which might not be fully operational until the autumn.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said the alleged delays only meant the app would continue to be improved.
"The app itself will continue to be improved just as apps are always being improved and I tend to think they are never really finished," he said.
"Just to be clear, right now, you've got an NHS test and trace system which is indeed on global scales extremely impressive - to give you an example, yesterday I announced 233,000 tests had been carried out.
"Right now, if anyone watching this is feeling ill and they think they might have Covid-19 symptoms they can go online this minute and book a test - and the scale of testing right now is currently among the best in the world.
"We've got 25,000 contact tracers, who are right now making thousands of calls.
"Anyone who gets a positive coronavirus outcome, their contacts are being requested - where they have been, who they have spoken to and how long they have been in those locations."
