The IBMS has circulated a statement to all major media outlets and MPs stating that we must avoid a “Wild West testing” scenario in the UK.
The statement from IBMS President Allan Wilson stresses that members are “increasingly expressing their frustration” that it is a global supply shortage holding NHS biomedical scientists back, not a lack of capacity.
He continues: “The profession is now rightly concerned that introducing these mass testing centres may only serve to increase competition for what are already scarce supplies and that NHS testing numbers will fall if their laboratories are competing with the testing centres for COVID-19 testing kits and reagents in a ‘Wild West testing’ scenario. The UK must avoid this for the sake of patient safety.”
The statement goes on to stress the vital importance of HCPC registration and UKAS laboratory accreditation to protect patients and the public.
Allan also thanks the biomedical scientists and lab staff “who are going above and beyond to help the nation”.
