EXCLUSIVE: Grampian asymptomatic testing sites operating well below capacity

An investigation has revealed how NHS Grampian's asymptomatic Covid-19 testing sites have been operating at well below capacity.

Original 106 has found that the centres in Old Aberdeen and Peterhead saw just 16% and 12.5% of the patients they were capable of seeing respectively, between their opening in late February and the end of last month.

The centres were established - along with five others in Moray - by the health board in an attempt to catch coronavirus cases that would otherwise have gone undetected.

They have been described as an important weapon in Scotland's fight against Covid-19.

Now, health officials are again urging people to go for a test even if they are not showing any signs of the virus.

Professor Jason Leitch, the national clinical director, said he was not aware of the specific figures in Grampian.

But asked why he believed the take-up was low, he told Original 106: "What we've found is that if you really communicate with populations, and tell them particularly where they're a bit more at risk, then they will come forward for that.

"When it's quiet and the virus feels a little bit abstract, people tend to drop their guard. I would encourage people to keep thinking that this is a challenge."

Karen Adam, the newly elected SNP MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, admitted the lack of take-up of the tests was worrying.

She said: "Of course I do think that is concerning, but I would be urging to go and get tested now. We are aware of this.

"We've already had people go there to be tested, so I'm extremely grateful to them, and I would just urge anyone who has not used the site already to please do so."

Douglas Lumsden, Scottish Conservative MSP for the north-east and a councillor in Aberdeen, said: "Across Grampian our numbers have been very encouraging, but there's no room for complacency at all, and the role that these testing centres play is going to be vital as we go forward - especially as we see the restrictions being eased.

"It's vital that the Scottish Government properly monitors usage of these centres to ensure that we're getting the best out of them, and the public need to know where they're located and to be given more updates on opening times to ensure usage is maintained to a good level."

As of the end of April, the operation had cost more than £165,000 to set up and run, including almost £100,000 for the Peterhead centre alone.

At Old Aberdeen, fewer than five people had tested positive as of April 30 - out of 1,250 tests - while in Peterhead there were nine positive cases identified from 1,924 tests.

Across the whole of Grampian, a maximum of 33 people had tested positive by the end of last month, from 5,264 tests carried out. But some numbers have been redacted due to there being a small number of cases, meaning the total number of positive cases could be as low as 24.

NHS Grampian said: "Testing is a vital part of our ongoing response to COVID-19. We know one in three people with the virus don't display any symptoms, which is why it is so important to get tested regularly, even if vaccinated.

"The asymptomatic testing sites across the north-east remain open, or people can order test kits to be delivered to their home. If they test positive using a Lateral Flow Device they should isolate and arrange a follow-up PCR test.

"If they test negative, they should still keep sticking to the FACTS guidance, to keep themselves and those around them as safe as possible."