Commenting on reports of the inability of some NHS staff to access COVID-19 tests promptly, Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers said:

"Trust leaders are today reporting delays in the return of PCR test results and problems accessing lateral flow tests.

"Given the current pressures on the NHS due to staff absences, it's vital that NHS staff get prompt access to the tests they need to ensure they can return to work as quickly as possible.

"Government, national NHS leaders and local NHS leaders, some of whom operate PCR testing capacity, need to work together rapidly to identify and resolve any issues including looking at whether we need to reserve dedicated testing capacity for NHS staff for a period."