'Cumbersome' coronavirus testing system to be simplified says First Minister
The Welsh Government has admitted that mistakes were made in efforts to increase the number of coronavirus tests being carried out on key workers and has published proposals to simplify the system.
In a series of interviews designed to deal with criticism of his government's handling of testing, the First Minister said that the system had been too cumbersome and would be changed.
Mark Drakeford warned against ending lockdown measures too quickly and said that, although he'd prefer a UK-wide decision to be made, he would be willing to have different restrictions in Wales if need be.
And he said that schools could partially reopen in three weeks if scientific and medical officials advised but wouldn't happen without that advice.
The Welsh Government's review of its coronavirus testing policy explains that its original plan 'set a target of reaching five thousand tests a day in April' but that a range of delays in the supply process means that 'We will not reach 5000 tests by the 3rd week of April.'
It says other reasons why not enough testing has been carried out include 'too much form filling' along with a cap of 15 referrals per local authority.
The First Minister said the cap will be lifted and a new online booking system will aim to reduce the red tape involved.
The military will also be involved in streamlining the system to make it more efficient.
Political opponents are challenging the Welsh Government's actions. Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said 'failing for a third time is simply not an option.'
The Welsh Conservatives have welcomed the changes but their health spokesperson says that 'it is vital the Welsh Government raises its game.'
Although opposition parties in Wales and at Westminster remain broadly supportive of efforts to cope with coronavirus, there has been an intensification in the questions being asked about decision-making by ministers.
Detailed reporting in today's Sunday Times paints a picture of complacency and lack of focus in the early days of the pandemic. It's denied by the UK Government and one source close to the decision-making process says that not only is it untrue but that it risks undermining trust in the medical and scientific advice which in turn could cost lives.
Here in Wales, the leaders of Plaid Cymru and Conservatives continue to work with the Welsh Government as part of a cabinet sub-committee. But the above quotations show that that isn't stopping them asking questions. If anything the questions have sharpened.
The First Minister's very visible presence on this Sunday underlines how seriously he's taking those questions. It's notable that Mark Drakeford hasn't been shying away from acknowledging mistakes and instead has been both explaining why they happened and what will be done to try to avoid them again.
That's an approach which will be welcomed by the opposition parties who will want to see it continuing. So will we all. This situation is too serious for politics as usual.
UPDATE. An example of just how cumbersome the current system is has been passed to me by Mary Wimbury, the Chief Executive of Care Forum Wales which represents care home providers.
It's a reply that she she says one of CFW's members received from a local authority when trying to find out why one of their staff members hasn't been tested.
Meanwhile an employee in a care home has described the frustration of encountering red tape.
They say that a test was arranged for them only for them to be told that 'it's one test per household and because my wife is also being tested, I can't have one unless hers comes back negative. I would have completed by isolation period by then with still loads of unanswered questions.'