Mum’s DIY virus test ordeal ends in tears
Six attempts to swab son’s throat at mobile unit
It took me about six attempts. I was in tears by the end of it Perthshire mum
strong communicator, someone who can at the same time see the big picture and analyse the detail and who knows what it’s like to face real life challenges like in-work poverty and rural transport.”
Cllr Sarwar has decided to put her name forward as a potential MSP candidate for the SNP because she is “excited about the opportunity of representing people with a range of challenges and needs,”adding: “Whether that is continuing the work of the Perth and Kinross Offer, tackling modern day poverty and rural isolation or protecting the incredible environment and natural heritage that the area boasts.”
And said she is keen to help turn around the Perth and Kinross tourism and leisure industry.
She said:“Of course, in the current conditions of coronavirus all Perthshire and Kinross-shire, like much of Scotland, is facing a crisis in its tourism and leisure industry.
“My work as a councillor in a rural ward, within Perthshire has prepared me for the work ahead. I am confident that my skills, values and experiences mean I am ideally suited to represent this constituency at the Scottish Parliament.””
A Perthshire mum says she was left in tears after being told to administer a COVID-19 test to her son when attending a mobile testing unit.
The parent, who does not wish to be named, grew concerned when her son developed a cough last week so she booked a test at Broxden park and ride.
But it proved to be a stressful experience.
She said: “The guy blew up his glove, put it on and then handed me the test and told me I had to do it myself.
“It took me about six attempts because my son kept touching it with his tongue. I was in tears by the end of it. It was a bit of a shambles.”
Suspecting she had done the test wrong, she ordered a home-testing kit. She said: “The home-testing kit came with clear instructions and an explanation of what to do.”
The Perthshire mum said the guidance contained in the home kit was much clearer than the instruction book she was quickly handed at the mobile testing unit.
The UK Government is responsible for the mobile testing unit at Broxden park and ride and told the PA selfswabbing was “common at testing sites.”
The spokesperson for the UK Government’s department of health and social care said: “Tests are designed to be selfadministered, with academic evidence showing they are just as effective as clinicianadministered tests. Clear instructions are provided but if people require help, they are able to alert a trained member of staff to assist.”
Asked about the gentleman blowing up his glove before putting it on, the UK Government’s spokesperson said it had a number of health and safety measures in place at its mobile testing units.
These include strict social distancing, site cleaning multiple times a day to ensure very high standards of hygiene, and the use of personal protective equipment in line with the latest guidance.
The SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire Pete Wishart has asked the UK Government to make it clearer what a selfadministered test involves.
Mr Wishart told the PA: “I fully appreciate the difficulties that people face when being asked to carry out these tests themselves.”
He added: “The reality is that in the last week we have conducted more than 5000 tests across Tayside and this number is only possible due to the fact that the vast majority of the swabbing is self-administered.
“In order to keep the public and testing site staff safe, it is going to continue to be routine for the testing to be selfadministered but I think we are also going to have to step up access to testing which can be done by medical staff with the correct protection.”