Published by Sarah Yeoman at 6:28am 4th August 2020.

Written by Richard Whitehouse, Local Democracy Reporter

Public health officials in Cornwall say that the decision to transfer mobile coronavirus testing centres from the military to a private company is seen as “a risk”.

Cornwall Council assistant director of public health Dr Ruth Goldstein raised the issue at a meeting of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board last week.

She explained that the mobile testing centres which have been operating across Cornwall to provide tests to the public were being transferred from the military to private company Serco.

“The mobile testing units have been moved out of military control and transferred to Serco.

“Considering how much we rely on those centres and the importance of them being in the right place we have had that put down as a risk.”

Dr Ruth Goldstein

Dr Goldstein said that there were concerns that by moving to a private company the centres may not operate as well as they are now.

She added: “We are working on that to make sure it doesn’t come to fruition.”

Dr Goldstein said that the issue had been discussed by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Covid-19 Health Protection Board.

The board is made up of representatives from partner organisations to provide a coordinated response to the coronavirus crisis.

Members include representatives from the council, Public Health England, NHS Kernow, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Isles of Scilly Council, Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.