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A message to self-isolate on the NHS coronavirus contact tracing app PA Images

NHS Test and Trace programme ‘has failed on main objective’, report finds

MPs have been heavily critical of the programme in the report.

THE NHS TEST and Trace programme “has not achieved its main objective” to enable people to return to a more normal way of life despite being handed “eye-watering” sums of money, according to a report by MPs.

The UK Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said that the programme’s outcomes have been “muddled” and a number of its aims have been “overstated or not achieved”.

Meanwhile, it has been handed the equivalent of 20% of the NHS’s entire annual budget – £37 billion over two years.

The committee also criticised handling of the cash, highlighting that the programme has still not managed to reduce the number of expensive contractors – who are paid an average of £1,100 per day – and has not developed a “flexible” approach to using laboratories, which “risks wasting public money”.

Test and Trace’s “continued over-reliance on consultants is likely to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds”, the report states.

It has been focused on getting programmes up and running and “paid less attention to ensuring these programmes delivered the benefits they promised”, it adds.

And uptake of services provided by the programme is “variable” as some vulnerable people are much less likely to take a test than others.

MPs on the cross-party committee said that as the programme is moved into the new UK Health Security Agency it needs a “proper long-term strategy”.

Meg Hillier, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “The national Test and Trace programme was allocated eye-watering sums of taxpayers’ money in the midst of a global health and economic crisis.

“It set out bold ambitions but has failed to achieve them despite the vast sums thrown at it.

“Only 14% of 691 million lateral flow tests sent out had results reported, and who knows how many took the necessary action based on the results they got, or how many were never used.

“The continued reliance on the over-priced consultants who ‘delivered’ this state of affairs will by itself cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds.

“For this huge amount of money we need to see a legacy system ready to deliver when needed but it’s just not clear what there will be to show in the long term. This legacy has to be a focus for government if we are to see any value for the money spent.”

The conclusions in the report include:

  • NHS Test and Trace “has not achieved its main objective to help break chains of Covid-19 transmission and enable people to return towards a more normal way of life”.
  • The programme’s “continued over-reliance on consultants is likely to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds”.
  • Uptake of services provided by Test and Trace is “variable” and “only a minority of people experiencing Covid-19 symptoms get a test”, with some groups less likely to take tests compared with others.
  • The programme’s laboratories approach and contact centre usage is “still not flexible enough to meet changing demand and risks wasting public money”.

MPs have set out a series of recommendations and suggested improvements to the programme.

The Test and Trace programme was rapidly developed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, spearheaded by Baroness Harding, with the objective of testing the nation and tracing contacts of positive cases.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said in a statement: “NHS Test and Trace (NHSTT) has played an essential role in combating this pandemic.

“As the Public Accounts Committee acknowledges, there have been improvements in testing capacity, turnaround times and speed and reach of contact tracing – and improved collaboration with local authorities.

“The fact is NHSTT is saving lives every single day and helping us fight Covid-19 by breaking chains of transmission and spotting outbreaks wherever they exist.

“More than 323 million tests have now been carried out across the UK. NHSTT has now contacted more than 19.9 million people, helping to slow the spread of the virus.

“Testing, contact tracing and the wall of defence built by our vaccination programme are all fundamental to our ongoing efforts to keep people safe as we return to a more normal way of life.”

A British Government spokesperson said: “We have rightly drawn on the extensive expertise of a number of public and private sector partners who have been invaluable in helping us tackle the virus.

“We have built a testing network from scratch that can process millions of tests a day – more than any European country – providing a free LFD or PCR test to anybody who needs one.

“The new UK Health Security Agency will consolidate the knowledge that now exists across our health system to help us tackle future pandemics and threats.”

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    Mute Paul Carr
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    Oct 26th 2011, 8:20 AM

    Well done, Chris! Half a million people with difficulty reading and writing is a shocking figure for a country of 4.6 million people. As you say, a lot of people don’t even know that their literacy problem isn’t unique. The cement of solidarity in this country has always been historically low compared to other developed EU15 countries.

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    Mute Michelle McGill
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    Oct 26th 2011, 9:00 AM

    Well done, Chris! What a terrific article – full of hope for all those who have literacy difficulties. I have no doubt that you have encouraged some to ask for your help they need. You should be really proud of yourself for all you have and will continue to accomplish since you have fought the fear and put the work in and succeeded in what you set out to do. It’s lovely too that you are now a teacher helping others who experienced similar situations to yourself.

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    Mute Desmond Molloy
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    Oct 26th 2011, 11:57 AM

    Thank your, Chris Potts. You’re an inspiration.

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    Mute Adrian Martyn
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    Oct 26th 2011, 12:17 PM

    Fair play, Chris.

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    Mute Noreen Kennedy
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    Oct 26th 2011, 12:45 PM

    What an inspiration to anyone dealing with literacy difficulties, fantastic achievement for anyone, well done Chris

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    Mute Ciara Moloney
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    Oct 26th 2011, 2:38 PM

    Bravo Chris, Bravo! I hope the world continues to open itself up for you as they world is now your oyster!

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Oct 28th 2011, 6:37 AM

    What an inspiring story Chris!

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    Mute Helen Carleton
    Favourite Helen Carleton
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    Oct 30th 2011, 10:18 AM

    Well done Chris for all your hard work and for getting to that place where you able to share your story. I have worked as a literacy tutor for fourteen years and I know exactly the feeling you shared with us when you describe the change in a persons confidence and self belief. I will share your inspirational story with my students, thanks and good luck in the future.

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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    Oct 29th 2011, 5:46 PM

    Not to worry.
    Nobody yet knows the trail which the self replicating molecules led to us.
    Those self same mecules invented death.
    (And the sex which your parents used to produce you in their own image)

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