Written Question · S6W-02407 · Session 6
Further to the answer to question S6W-01147 by Maree Todd on 29 July 2021, what measures it is taking to improve the efficacy of COVID-19 a…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01147 by Maree Todd on 29 July 2021, what measures it is taking to improve the efficacy of COVID-19 antibody testing, in light of reports that current testing is unreliable.
The answer
As part of the NHS Scotland response to coronavirus (COVID-19), an Innovation Workstream has been created to manage the evaluation of antibody and swab (PCR) tests. This workstream is led by NHS NSS and clinical scientists from NHS Health Boards, and is designed to take advantage of rapid innovations within testing, while at the same time avoiding duplication of effort between Health Boards.
As part of this workstream, antibody tests being used within Scotland are validated by NHS Scotland. The evaluation reports for the antibody assays which have currently been validated and are in use are publicly available, and can be found on NHS Scotland’s Health Innovation Assessment Portal . These evaluation reports show the high sensitivity and specificity of antibody tests approved for use within Scotland.
Scotland is also part of the UK National Testing Programme, participating in UK-wide antibody studies such as the Post Positive PCR Antibody Testing Initiative, where antibody tests have been validated by the UK Government. These validation reports are publicly available, and can be found on the UK Government website .
As part of this workstream, antibody tests being used within Scotland are validated by NHS Scotland. The evaluation reports for the antibody assays which have currently been validated and are in use are publicly available, and can be found on NHS Scotland’s Health Innovation Assessment Portal . These evaluation reports show the high sensitivity and specificity of antibody tests approved for use within Scotland.
Scotland is also part of the UK National Testing Programme, participating in UK-wide antibody studies such as the Post Positive PCR Antibody Testing Initiative, where antibody tests have been validated by the UK Government. These validation reports are publicly available, and can be found on the UK Government website .
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-02407 by reference.