No date for rollout of 90-minute coronavirus tests in Wales, Health Minister says
Vaughan Gething spoke to ITV's Wales at Six programme
The announcement by the UK Government that it would be rolling out a new rapid coronavirus test branded "brilliant" by many scientists came as a "surprise" to the Welsh Government, the Health Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed.
Monday's front pages were dominated by the news that two new "game-changing" tests can provide a result for whether or not a person has coronavirus or flu in around an hour and a half, instead of the usual 24 hours.
The UK Government said they are to be rolled out in hospitals, care homes and laboratories as early as next week.
But on Tuesday Vaughan Gething MS said he was not yet sure whether the UK Government is procuring the new tests for the four nations of the UK, or just England.
"It was a surprise announcement", the Health Minister told ITV Cymru Wales, "I had not been told there was going to be an announcement made by the UK Department for Health.
"We are not clear whether they are intending to procure for England only or for the whole United Kingdom. I have a four nations health meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and I of course will be looking for some answers".
"It is unfortunate that wasn't available when the announcement was made", the Health Minister added.
The swab and DNA tests are expected to help governments deal with the virus in winter, enabling clinicians to differentiate between Covid-19 and other seasonal illnesses, the Department of Health said on Monday.
The UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new technology will mean "more people are going to be able to get tested more quickly, so we can find out where the virus is and tackle it and keep those rates of infection down".
The Welsh Health Minister, however, said it was not clear when the tests would be available in Wales.
"We are looking to have a rapid test available. We want to make sure it's the right quality and the right accuracy and that it's available in the right numbers.
"So we have a little further to go on that but when we do make an announcement on that in Wales you can expect a proper plan as well as an understanding of how effective and quick that will be", the Health Minister said.
The UK Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said "They will go into the NHS initially, into labs, and of course into care homes and other settings including schools...it is a game changer".
The tests, developed by "brilliant" British scientists, will make a "big, big difference" in Britain's battle against coronavirus, Mr Zahawi added.
Pushed on a timeframe for Wales, Vaughan Gething did not provide a date for when a rapid coronavirus test would be available here.
"I'm expecting to have clarity on that so we understand what we're going to be able to do through the autumn and I understand that the schools reopening is a real touchpoint", Mr Gething said.
Mr Gething went on to say "I think we will have a rapid test available in Wales", and that overall testing capacity was at a "sufficient level" to cope with the increased demands in the Autumn.