Government tells Harrogate councillor it is ‘not responsible’ for coronavirus testing

A draft petition asking for widespread testing of the public for coronavirus has been rejected by the government, which claims decisions over medical testing are not in its remit. 

A proposal by the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Harrogate, Coun Pat Marsh, was submitted to the government’s petitions site on 17th March calling for more testing of the population. Six days later, it was rejected on the grounds that medical testing was not in the government’s remit. The response said: 

“We can’t accept your petition because the UK Government and Parliament aren’t responsible for the issue you raise. The conduct of tests is a clinical decision for the NHS, not the UK Government or Parliament.”

Coun Pat Marsh said: “I was absolutely outraged when I received the response. I understand who has to physically do the tests, but the government must have some responsibility for purchasing tests and having them distributed to the right places.”

She believes testing of frontline workers – including NHS staff, carers, supermarket employees and other key workers – at an earlier stage could have made a significant difference to the spread of the virus, as well as preventing any needless 14-day isolation periods which kept vital staff away from work. 

A Nightingale hospital is being set up at Harrogate Convention Centre

Security guards, the Army and others have been seen at Harrogate Convention Centre this week as it is converted into a ‘Nightingale’ hospital

Coun Marsh has accused the government of dereliction of duty in its failure to roll out widespread testing at an early stage, and its claim that it has no responsibility for deciding who is tested. She has also criticised the way the news about the ‘Nightingale’ hospital came out, with no official confirmation despite intense activity at Harrogate Convention Centre which, she said, could have caused alarm.

“I don’t feel comfortable with the government’s approach,” she said. “Of course, you might think I’d say that, but it doesn’t matter what colour the government is. I want us to be safe and for them to do everything within their power to make sure we’re kept safe and well.”

The Stray Ferret has contacted Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, about the government’s position on testing but has not yet received a response.