test-and-trace

The Rural Coalition has written to Matt Hancock making the point that rural places might merit a differential approach to lifting lockdown and in some case and some aspects of the recovery planning could go first. All interesting grist to the mill in terms of this article, which suggests one of the most important enablers to a place based approach, the test and trace system is some way off full implementation. This story tells us:

The NHS coronavirus test-and-trace system designed to prevent a second deadly wave is not expected to work at full speed until September or October, the Guardian has learned.

Tony Prestedge, the chief operating officer of the NHS scheme, admitted in a webinar to staff that the programme would be “imperfect” at launch, adding that he hoped it would be operational at a world-class level within three to four months.

It comes as a leaked email from the chief executive of Serco – one of the main companies contracted to deliver the service – revealed how he doubted the scheme would evolve smoothly but said he wanted it to “cement the position of the private sector” in the NHS supply chain. 

The disclosures come as scientists said lockdown measures should not be eased until the test-and-trace service is well established. The system, which tracks those who have contracted coronavirus and anyone they have been in contact with, before asking them to self-isolate, was rolled out across England last week with the help of 25,000 contact tracers.

Justin Madders, a shadow health minister, said the idea that the system may be months away from being fully operational was “deeply concerning”.