Health secretary pledges support for care homes over testing policy
Donald Cameron says “We strongly welcome the further clarification provided on the further expansion of the testing programme.”
The Scottish Conservative health spokesperson says the good news about vaccines must be complemented by a “robust and accurate testing regime”.
On social care testing Mr Cameron asks if designated visitor testing will be mandatory in all instances and what support will be given to care homes to implement these new policies.
Ms Freeman explains: “We don’t make testing mandatory, it’s not mandatory for our NHS staff.”
The reason for that is the government wants people to volunteer for testing and there is no intention to make it mandatory for care homes, she adds.
The health secretary pledges there will be support for all care homes through the path-finder approach.
“Training and support will be provided to all care homes as lateral flow devices are rolled out to them and of course PCR is done through our NHS."