Concerns have been raised about coronavirus testing and the availability of personal protective equipment for health and social care workers in South Gloucestershire.

An opposition member of South Gloucestershire Council put the concerns to the ruling Conservative administration at a recent meeting.

It came as the council revealed that the number of residents on the district’s “shielding list” had “risen significantly” to about 6,000 and was expected to reach 8,000.

The NHS Shielded Patient List identifies people who are expected to self-isolate for 12 weeks because they are most at risk from Covid-19. 

They are entitled to a package of support which includes home deliveries of food and prescription medicines.

Covid-19 testing centre in ‘remote location’

In a written question to the Conservative cabinet, Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young said a Covid-19 testing centre at Bristol Airport was in “quite a remote location” for health and care workers from South Gloucestershire to get to.

The drive-thru testing centre, which opened on April 24, is for any key worker in Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset showing symptoms of the virus.

Cllr Young asked whether the council had discussed with Public Health England the possibility of setting up extra testing sites in South Gloucestershire, such as at the “large, currently under-used” car park at The Mall in Cribbs Causeway.

Council leader Toby Savage said: “We absolutely do want a more flexible answer available because the location of Bristol Airport isn’t convenient for many of our staff.”

He referred to home testing kits for key workers and said that mobile testing sites at “more convenient locations” were a possibility.

A mobile testing unit in the local area is being explored by the Department of Health and Social Care, a council spokesman said after the virtual meeting, held on April 27. 

Demand for drive-thru tests and home testing kits outstrips supply

The spokesman said: “Key workers can self-refer for a Covid-19 test either at Bristol Airport (current local site) or by ordering a postal kit using the national testing portal.” 

The government launched an online portal for symptomatic key workers to book a Covid-19 test at a drive-through centre or order a home testing kit on April 24.

But it had to close just hours later, and home testing kits ran out quickly, after it reached the capacity of daily demand.

At the time of writing, a message on the website said: “Due to the exceptional demand for tests, we have reached today’s capacity for test bookings and home orders. More tests, both for drive-through sites and home delivery, will be made available tomorrow.”

All details about the portal, including processes and eligible groups, are available here: gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

Cllr Young also expressed concern over a five-week delay in getting a national online portal for primary and social care providers up and running so that they can order government-supplied personal protective equipment (PPE).

She asked what the council was doing to ensure alternative supplies of PPE get to staff.

Cllr Savage replied that the national portal for acute hospitals to order PPE was being “piloted and tested for wider use, including by councils and care providers”.

“We believe that that may be available in the next three to four weeks,” he said. 

“Until that comes online though, the government’s continuing to provide its bulk deliveries of PPE to our local resilience fora [alliances of emergency services, NHS and local authorities that respond to emergencies].

“We also then supplement that through our direct purchases of PPE.

“PPE remains a critical issue for the sector. It’s a key concern of ours as a council particularly when demand is so high across the globe.”

Cllr Young asked what quality control checks were done on PPE being directly sourced by local providers.

A council spokesman said after the meeting that: “Most of the PPE used by social care providers is sourced directly and providers may be raising quality concerns directly with these suppliers. 

“We are in regular contact with local providers and whilst rising costs are a concern, we are not aware that any have raised quality as an issue.

“The local resilience forum (LRF) supply is the first line of support for providers when their stocks are low. 

“We maintain a stock of PPE which can be accessed by providers, if for example an order is delayed.

“We are currently reviewing our internal systems and processes re PPE to ensure both quality and best value.”