‘Wexford People’ article on testing raised in Dáil with Taoiseach
An article highlighting the lengthy delays in nursing home Covid-19 testing turnaround times was raised by Independent TD Verona Murphy in the Dáil to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Thursday.
Our article about Knockeen nursing home highlighted the concerns of director of operations Nicola Doran Kinsella who described the HSE’s nationwide testing program of nursing home residents and staff as ‘a total farce’, as results were taking over ten days to come back when they were due within a 24 to 48 hour period. Deputy Murphy said: ‘The owners Mary and Nicola Doran are renowned for providing the highest of care for their residents. Unfortunately Nicola Doran found that she had to speak out in the Wexford People this week. The nursing home was tested on April 24 and waited for 13 days for the test results. In a bizarre twist on April 29 a HSE staff member told Nicola Doran that they had the results but were not at liberty to give them out. However after the story was reported in the Wexford People this week the results were made known within 24 hours of its publication.’
No residents or staff members were found to have Covid-19.
She asked Mr Varadkar to confirm that all testing for nursing homes will be turned around within 24 hours, saying the HSE and NPHET have had eight weeks to get their systems right.
‘Many doctors I have been in touch with are completely frustrated with the testing process and say testing to date has been an absolute waste of time as the test results were so old that it is impossible to trace all the contacts of those who were tested positive. The idea behind the model of test, trace and isolate was this would be done in an immediate fashion. You yourself said we now have the capacity to test 12,000 people. The question is what is the capacity to have 12,000 results turned around in 24 hours.’
She sought precise detail about result statistics to instil confidence and transparency in the system, saying his roadmap was a missed opportunity as there are no defined targets laid down regarding testing.
‘People want a clear vision about where they need to be to see a trigger for each phase to move forwards or backwards. Equally there is no containment strategy; all of these are fundamental to the success of your road map.’
Deputy Murphy said the roadmap will lead to a cul-de-sac unless it’s underpinned by a testing roadmap with set deadlines.
‘This is costing the country between €200m and €400m a working day and you must see the need for a roadmap. The nation is at breaking point and testing is the only safe way of easing restrictions,’ Deputy Murphy said.
Mr Varadkar said he can’t confirm that tests can be completed within 24 hours, saying test are being flown to Germany.
He said testing times are improving, especially for healthcare staff, adding that there were unacceptable delays a few weeks ago.
‘The objective is to have results within 48 hours. Can I promise that 100 per cent of the time I will be able to do that, no I can’t, but we anticipate having the vast majority of tests back within 48 hours.’
He said the roadmap he announced was about reopening the economy and society, adding that a lot of work has been done on having a robust testing and contact tracing system in place.
He said few European countries have tested as many people as Ireland has.
Deputy Murphy reiterated her call for a testing roadmap, adding that there are 26 labs in Ireland that can carry out testing. She said some are not allowed carry out these tests, adding that there is a failure to contact trace in many instances. Mr Varadkar committed to contacting the HSE about getting a roadmap for testing.