Areas across Highland unable to access COVID-19 home test kits
NHS Highland say there's "problems" with reaching some homes
Last updated 18th Aug 2020
Highland locations are not able to access vital Coronavirus home testing kits due to delivery issues.
A Caithness man tried contacting health services to order one of the kits and was initially told they were out of stock.
However, after four days of showing symptoms his GP practise told him test kits are not delivered to his home.
Government regulations stipulate after four days of showing symptoms, you can no longer be tested using this method and must attend a testing centre.
NHS Highland admitted there have been 'problems with reaching some Highland postcodes'.
'Are we not important enough up here to have a test kit?' - Anonymous
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, didn't want to rely on family members to take him to a testing facility, in the fear of potentially passing anything onto them.
He said: 'My issue is, if I get someone to take me and then it proves positive, they’ve got to get tested the whole family’s got to get tested, everybody’s got to isolate again. I don’t want to put people into that position.
'I’m not putting blame onto anybody particularly; I just think the whole system is badly flawed, where you’re looking for the information you need and they don’t even know. At this stage where we are with the virus, it’s not like it happened yesterday.
The man also admitted trying deliver the kit to a Tain postcode, but was unable to get it delivered there either.
He added: 'It’s quite important that we get access to some kind of mobile testing kit. It beggars belief to me as to why in areas that need these things the most, have no access to them.
'It seems to be something that’s forgotten or not addressed. Is there some other underlying issue? I’d like to know the reason behind it all, that’s all I’m wanting.
'Is there a reason we can’t access home test kits here, do they not have enough, are we not important enough up here to have a test kit?’
NHS Highland Director of Public Health, Dr Tim Allison says the issue is being looked at on a national level.
He said: ‘There is a UK testing facility in Inverness and four mobile units. Two of these visit six locations in the Highland Council region on a rota each week and two visit locations in Argyll and Bute.
‘We have COVID Assessment Centres (CACs) which can be accessed through the Out of Hours (OOH) service where patients are unwell.
‘There is also the postal testing service but there have been problems with reaching some Highland post codes. This is being looked at on a national level.
‘For those unable to get a postal test, if they are ill they should contact the OOH service and arrangements will be made for assessment and testing.’
The man tried to order the kit through the UK Government's official website.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Anyone with symptoms across the UK should get a test as soon as possible and accessing one is now faster and easier than ever.
'There are 236 mobile units across the UK, as well as 73 regional test sites and 22 satellite test sites. Homes test kits are also available for anyone with symptoms, and 95% of the UK population live within 1 mile of a priority postbox.'
The Scottish Government say they've asked Westminster to work with them and NHS Highland to improve postal access in Highland areas.
A spokesperson said: 'We are aware that some people living in rural and island postcodes in Scotland are having issues getting access to a home testing kit through the UK Government’s testing portal.
'We have raised this issue directly with the UK Government and have asked them to work with us and the local health board to improve access to postal testing kits in remote and rural areas.
'Meantime we are working closely with NHS Highland, and any other affected health boards, to ensure those with suspected COVID-19 can access NHS testing irrespective of their home address.
'We would encourage anyone encountering problems to speak to their local health board.'