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Care UK says residents and staff face five-week wait for coronavirus tests due to problem with Government supplier
The UK's largest independent provider of social care says residents and staff face a minimum five-week wait for coronavirus tests because of a problem with the Government's supplier.
Care UK chief executive Andrew Knight wrote a letter to residents saying they no longer have access to regular testing.
Mr Knight said it will be at least five weeks before the firm are able to access another round of tests for most of its homes in England.
He also said that the problem is "mirrored across other major care organisations".
The letter, obtained by the Standard, read: "We have been notified by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) that due to an issue with a particular test from one supplier, we will no longer have access to weekly testing for colleagues or monthly testing for residents."
"Communication from the Government on this matter has been sorely lacking", Mr Knight wrote.
"I am sure many of you will find this situation as disappointing as I do, especially given the positive messages the Government is still issuing about the scale of the testing programme it is supposedly offering."
Mr Knight said Care UK has called on the DHSC, the Social Care Taskforce and the Care minister to resolve the situation quickly.
He also told residents that the firm had been exploring other options including privately-funded testing.
However, they have yet to find a reliable supplier who can support them at the scale they need, he added.
"This experience is mirrored across other major care organisations," the letter continued.
"I am sure many of you will find this situation as disappointing as I do, especially given the positive messages the Government is still issuing about the scale of the testing programme it is supposedly offering.
"Any support you are able to provide on this matter, including asking your local MPs whether they can provide assistance or information, would be most welcome.
"That aside though, our teams are continuing to do all they can to provide the very best levels of care and to keep things as positive and normal as possible for residents."
The DHSC have been contacted by the Standard for comment.
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