'Important role' to be played by new antibody tests in Wales, NHS Wales CEO says

NHS Wales Chief Executive Dr Andrew Goodall has said antibody tests would make an ''important contribution'' to the Welsh Government's coronavirus strategy.

Speaking at Thursdays daily press conference, Dr Andrew Goodall said: ''There's an important role and contribution to be made by antibody testing.

''Whilst we are able to expand and increase the number of antigen tests, knowing that someone has the virus on a particular day is very different to knowing an individual has had the virus at all.

''Clearly we are able to have some sense of what the community rates have been more broadly.''

A new test to determine whether people have ever been infected with coronavirus has been described as 100% accurate by Public Health England.

England's Health Secretary Matt Hancock said talks were underway with manufacturer Roche about a “very large-scale roll-out” of coronavirus antibody testing.

Dr Goodall said he hoped Wales could take advantage of any UK deal to access the new tests.

With Public Health England acting on behalf of Wales in procuring testing, Wales should also see the test being rolled out across the country if it happens.

Is Wales going to get the same antibody test as announced in England?

The short answer is likely, 'yes'.

The long answer is slightly more complicated.

As with many things during this pandemic, devolution is an extra consideration. In normal times, on matters such as medicines and tests, the Welsh Government calls the shots. But since we are not in normal times, a more coordinated UK-wide approach is being adopted for many things. These antibody tests will be part of that wider approach.

As my colleague Adrian Masters points out on twitter, "Public Health England is acting for all four nations in procuring the Roche antibody tests widely reported today. So they should also be rolled out to Wales, Scotland and N.Ireland when they happen."

I asked the CEO of NHS Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, whether Wales would get this test and he couldn't give a definitive answer - it is early days - but the signs are certainly encouraging. He said that there are details to be worked through and validation to be done, but he hoped that Wales would get what it needed. Afterall, the antibody test is seen as a key weapon in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and returning life to some sense of normality.

As to when we will get this test - that is not known. There are hoops and hurdles to overcome, but given the urgent need for such a test, you'd think every effort will be made to get it rolled out as soon as possible.