Falkirk family told to take child to Aberdeen or Carlisle for Covid test

At a meeting of Falkirk Council’s emergency executive, Labour group leader Robert Bissett said he had constituents who had been told to take their child to Aberdeen or Carlisle to get tested.

The family finally managed to get a test done locally – but Councillor Bissett said he was anxious that people were being asked to travel such a distance for testing.

Director of Children’s Services Robert Naylor said he was confident the situation was being resolved.

He said: “My understanding is that the intention is that testing in NHS Forth Valley would be local and available quickly and we’ll no longer get what I think we’d all agree are ridiculous offers to take children who are potentially unwell hundreds of miles to get a test.

“I think NHS are on the case with that and hopefully we won’t hear of any other parents having to take their kids to far-flung places when they are already worried.”

Mr Naylor assured councillors that the education team was working closely with NHS Forth Valley public health to keep pupils and staff safe.

A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley said there had been a significant increase in demand for Covid-19 testing across Scotland over the last few weeks and work is underway at a national level to further increase testing capacity.

“This includes the development of 11 new local walk-through testing centres across the country to increase sampling capacity by more than 3000 tests a day.

“Roving mobile testing units are available in every council area and home testing kits are also available via the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot.

“Test appointments are regular released throughout the day so people are advised to keep checking the website or call NHS Inform on 0800 028 2816 if they experience any difficulties in booking a test in their local area.

“NHS Forth Valley has also been providing some additional testing support to local schools across the area on request however NHS Inform remains the first point of contact for parents and members of a public to book a test if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have been advised to arrange a test by the NHS Test and Protect service.”

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you