Forty-Seventh Report - COVID-19: Test, track and trace (part 1)

The government accepts the recommendation, stating it has implemented measures to improve capacity utilisation, including revising laboratory structures, increasing automation, negotiating flexible commercial contracts aiming for 80% capacity, and improving forecasting and flexible contracts for contact tracing.

The government accepts the recommendation and states it has implemented a consultancy ramp-down plan to reduce consultant numbers by over 40% by December 2021. This plan includes capability mapping, increased recruitment efforts, replacing consultants with cheaper contractors, and establishing a Commercial Challenge Board for scrutiny of new consultancy requests.

The government accepts the recommendation, stating it is reviewing its plan on asymptomatic testing and intends to publish clear information by June 2021 on how and why mass rapid testing will be used, with updates on progress and targets focused on impact and outcomes.

The government accepts the recommendation, detailing that NHST&T has significantly extended engagement with partners, updated the Contain Framework, established daily regional team meetings with local authorities, and engages with all sectors through relevant government departments.

The government agrees to outline its future strategy for testing and tracing by November 2021, stating that longer term plans are being considered and will be finalised with the new UK Health Security Agency Chair and Chief Executive before publication.

The government acknowledges the committee's introductory statement, reiterating the basis of the report, the date evidence was taken, and the publication date of the committee's report.

The government accepts the (implied) recommendation, committing to ongoing and enhanced publication of data on test and trace effectiveness and compliance, including ONS publishing monthly self-isolation data and plans to periodically publish R number estimates by June 2021.

The government accepts the (implied) recommendation, committing to ongoing and enhanced publication of data on test and trace effectiveness and compliance, including ONS publishing monthly self-isolation data and plans to periodically publish R number estimates by June 2021.

The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, citing a significant increase in PCR testing capacity, improved utilisation of testing sites, revised laboratory structure, increased automation, and more flexible commercial contracts to balance surge capacity with efficiency. For contact tracing, NHST&T has improved forecasting and secured flexible contracts for staff.

The government agrees, stating the recommendation is implemented by significantly increasing PCR testing capacity and improving utilisation through multi-purpose testing sites, revised laboratory structures, and increased automation. NHST&T has also built more flexibility into commercial contracts and improved forecasting for contact tracing to better manage surge capacity and efficiency.

The government acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and the need for sufficient surge capacity, stating that balancing resilience with public funding demands is a priority for NHST&T. However, it does not detail specific actions addressing past over-scaling or low utilisation rates.

The government agrees and has established a consultancy ramp-down plan to reduce the number of consultants by over 40% by December 2021, implementing various mechanisms to achieve this.

The government agrees and has established a consultancy ramp-down plan to reduce the number of consultants by over 40% by December 2021, implementing various mechanisms to achieve this.

The government accepts the (implied) recommendation, implementing a consultancy ramp-down plan aiming to reduce consultant numbers by over 40% by December 2021 through mechanisms like recruitment, capability mapping, and a Commercial Challenge Board.

The government agrees and provides a target implementation date of June 2021, detailing that rapid LFD testing has transitioned from targeted eligibility to a universal offer for all from April 2021, with new pharmacy collect and expanded home delivery options. The department is also reviewing and plans to publish its asymptomatic testing plan.

The government accepts the (implied) recommendation, stating it is reviewing its plan on asymptomatic testing and intends to publish clear information by June 2021 on how and why mass rapid testing will be used, with updates on progress and targets focused on impact and outcomes, while taking account of test performance.

The government agrees, confirming that regular rapid testing is vital, and commits to reviewing its asymptomatic testing plan and publishing updates on progress and agreed targets by June 2021.

The government accepts the (implied) recommendation, detailing that NHST&T has significantly extended engagement with partners, updated the Contain Framework for local and national roles, and established daily regional team meetings with local authorities to support community testing and broader sector engagement.

The government agrees, stating it has significantly extended engagement with local authorities since December 2020 and updated the Contain Framework to clarify roles and responsibilities in breaking chains of transmission.

The government agrees and claims the recommendation is implemented, detailing expanded engagement with local authorities through updated frameworks and community testing. For other sectors, NHST&T mediates its engagement through relevant government departments. However, the response does not specifically address the concern about the lack of clinical public health expertise at senior levels.

The government agrees with the recommendation to publish details on the transition to the new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), setting a target implementation date of November 2021. It confirms the UKHSA is being formally established in spring 2021, with longer-term plans currently under consideration and to be finalised with the new leadership before publication.

The government agrees with the (implied) recommendation to outline a future strategy by November 2021, stating that longer-term plans are being considered and will be finalised with the new UK Health Security Agency Chair and Chief Executive before publication.

The government states that longer-term plans for the diagnostic capacity legacy are currently under consideration and will be finalised with the new Chair and Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency before publication.