Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has urgently written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Humza Yousaf, following reports that local testing facilities have run out of PCR tests.

Jackie Baillie was contacted by a number of constituents informing her that a testing facility in Helensburgh had run out of PCR tests and were diverting members of the public to Dumbarton and Old Kilpatrick.

It is understood that the 300 tests allocated to Helensburgh ran out in the afternoon yesterday.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“At a time when our local positive case numbers are rocketing, it is unthinkable that local testing hubs are running out of tests.

“Many local people, either with symptoms or asymptomatic close contacts, are being forced to travel a greater distance than necessary to access vital tests. This also puts them in contact with far more other people than they should be.

“I have written urgently to Humza Yousaf asking for both an explanation for this shortage and for urgent supplies to be given to these hubs.

“It is of the utmost importance that any local person who is in need of a PCR is able to access one quickly and easily.”