@Adamprice @Plaid_Cymru please read these comments from English Biomedical Scientists in regards to the mega labs that you want to mimic in Wales. https://twitter.com/gayatrichohan/status/1253008645144616960

These are hardworking, dedicated, professional people who are hearing that all of their efforts in developing and inplementing tests are perceived as being second rate to mass testing labs run by volunteers.

Testing capacity across the NHS is at its highest levels since the start of the pandemic. Innovation within the NHS labs, with support from academia means that we’re able to switch platforms and move to others to maintain capacity should supplies fail for one.

The mega labs and academic labs are developed generally with one workflow to help maintain quality, but this causes them to be less flexible when things go wrong. We in the NHS can switch and move testing quickly whilst maintaining quality and all the essential governance needed.

In terms of Wales, we have in use 4 large testing platforms and 5 work streams. The supply chain is easing and should all these platforms be enabled to work to full capacity, we can test everyone who needs a test and everyone else who doesn’t, but would like one anyway

I appreciate that most of your tweets and comments are aimed at your political counterparts. But I can assure that young, impressionable scientists working night and day to deliver testing, feel that their efforts are not recognised and in fact despite giving their all

Are being told, by the people in charge that it isn’t good enough. I can’t imagine for one moment that you would make comments that could potentially undermine the confidence of our doctors and nurses. Please be mindful the NHS doesn’t stop there.

By all means ask the questions, but it might also be helpful for you to ask the people doing the tests what the problems are. You might be pleasantly surprised. The NHS is staffed by some of the most brilliant and dedicated scientists. Please help me to look after them.