Moray SNP News

COVID TESTING FACILITIES BEING CONSIDERED FOR SPEYSIDE

NHS Grampian has confirmed to Richard Lochhead MSP that public health authorities are exploring options for covid testing facilities for Tomintoul and Speyside. 

Mr Lochhead raised concerns on behalf of constituents who’ve had to travel from Tomintoul to Elgin for symptomatic testing with NHS Grampian’s Chief Executive. In the health board’s response to Moray’s MSP, health officials acknowledged that Tomintoul is an area where additional support is required and work has started to look at how this can be put in place.

Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“In recent weeks I’ve had constituents from Tomintoul and rural Speyside get in touch to raise concerns about the distance they’ve had to travel for a covid test after experiencing symptoms.

“Most have booked tests in Elgin and in some cases they’ve had to make that lengthy trip when they’ve been feeling unwell or with a child that’s poorly, which isn’t ideal.

“Having raised these concerns with NHS Grampian, I’m pleased that they’ve identified this as an area where more support is required and are working to find a solution for residents in that area.

“Of course, those who have symptoms can still book a test to be delivered by mail to their homes, however I do recognise that many people won’t want to wait for that option and would prefer to attend a local testing centre.

“Covid hasn’t gone away and testing plays such an important part in our efforts to tackle the virus and to prevent the spread in our local communities, so I welcome any steps that can be taken by public health teams to make testing as easy as possible for people in Speyside and right across Moray.”