Various questions regarding COVID-19 testing kits: FOI release

Information requested

From information provided by the Scottish Government it appears that the first Covid-19 tests were conducted in Scotland on 24 January 2020.

1. Testing kits for Covid19
a. How many test kits were initially obtained and where were these sourced from
b. Since the delivery of that first batch when have more kits been obtained and from where?
c. What procurement has been undertaken and when to obtain sufficient kits for mass testing?

2. Ventilators and ICU beds
a. At the start of January 2020 how many ICU beds did Scotland have across the NHS and how many ventilators that could be used to treat patients hospitalised with Covid-19 
b. Since then how many ventilators have been procured and how many new ICU beds are there and when did they come on stream.

Response

1. NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is the primary procurement organisation for NHS Scotland for medical consumables such as testing kits. As such, under section 17(1) of FOISA, the information you have requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Relevant queries regarding procurement of this nature should be directed to NSS.

2a. Under section 25 of FOISA, this is a notice to indicate that the information you have requested is otherwise publicly accessible. The relevant information can be found here:
https://www.gov.scot/news/intensive-care-units-show-resilience-during-covid-19/

b. By the end of March, 904 ventilators were on order from a range of manufacturers. This number has reduced as a result of suppliers de-committing and to bring in line with our maximum ICU surge capacity of over 700 beds, plus additional capacity if needed.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.