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System for testing children is shambolic and chaotic, say Caithness family


By Gordon Calder

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THE system for testing children with suspected coronavirus has been described as "shambolic" and "chaotic".

The accusation was made by the family of a six-year-old girl who was sent home from Pennyland Primary School in Thurso last Friday as she was coughing. She was told she could not return to school until she had the test, although the family claim she was showing no signs of the virus.

Her mother and grandmother, who wish to remain anonymous, are unhappy at the delay in getting the youngster tested and the anxiety that caused.

The girl's mother phoned a Wick number to try and arrange a test for her daughter and got no reply despite trying several times on Saturday. There was no pre-recorded message.

She phoned 111 and was given a number to call and was informed Wick had no slots but ones were available at Ullapool. The family said that was "totally unacceptable".

There was no mention of the mobile testing unit visiting Millbank Road in Thurso at the start of this week.

Eventually, the mother managed to get an appointment on the Sunday after contacting the Wick Covid-19 test centre. The test took a couple of minutes but the family had to wait until Wednesday morning to get the result, which was negative.

The youngster's grandmother criticised the way the system operates and said it needs urgent action to address the problems. She has written to local MSP Gail Ross and to Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant.

In her letter to Mrs Ross, the child's grandmother said: "Sadly, there is no clear signposting for parents as to what to do should their child require a Covid test. It's all very well the school or a teacher telling a parent to get a test but there is no information on how to get it.

"If primary school children are to get Covid tests, would it not be easier for a Covid nurse to have a designated treatment room so that parents can take their children there?"

A sign pointing to the NHS Highland coronavirus assessment unit in Wick.
A sign pointing to the NHS Highland coronavirus assessment unit in Wick.

The grandmother would like to see a specific Covid nurse for schools with one based in Thurso and another in Wick. That would simplify the procedure and ease the burden on the NHS, she said.

She also claimed no information was given to her daughter or other members of the family about self-isolating.

The grandmother said: "More signposting needs to be in place and it needs to be accurate."

She added: "It's totally shambolic and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. If schoolchildren are being sent home with coughs, clearly demand is going to be much higher and will put pressure on the NHS to provide more appointments/tests. To use the word chaotic would be an understatement."

Mrs Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has contacted Scotland's health secretary Jeane Freeman and is "pressing for a response as soon as is possible".

There has been "a sharp rise" in the number of requests for coronavirus tests since pupils have gone back to school, according to Dr Tim Allison, the director of public health for NHS Highland.

He said the increase has been evident in the NHS Highland area and elsewhere in Scotland with requests often coming from parents concerned about their children.

Dr Allison urged people to only book a test if they have symptoms. He said: "A test can be booked by calling 0800 028 2816 or visiting the NHS Inform website. You do not need to call NHS 24 to organise a test. Please do not call NHS 24 unless you feel you need medical advice to deal with your illness."

To be tested you should be displaying symptoms such as new, continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste. Testing should also be arranged in the first three days of symptoms appearing, although testing is effective until day five. If someone in your household develops symptoms they will need to self-isolate.

Dr Allison added: "There is evidence of increasing transmission of Covid-19 across Scotland. Covid-19 is still here and it is important that everyone continues to follow the national guidance to keep them and others safe."


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