Aberdeen boosts North East testing capacity by 1000 per day

An extra 1000 COVID-19 tests are being carried out every day in the North East of Scotland thanks to a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian.

The NHS Scotland Genetics Consortium Laboratory, based in the University of Aberdeen Medical School, has been boosted by the loan of equipment from the University and associated companies and research institutes. The partnership will provide significant additional testing capacity and contingency to the existing NHS Grampian Virology department service.

Professor Zosia Miedzybrodzka, Medical Genetics Service Clinical Director said:

“We are enormously grateful to the genetics, virology and university staff, and the procurement and management teams of National Services Scotland, as well as the equipment and reagent supply companies who have worked well in excess of their normal hours to get this additional testing up and running to support the fight against Covid-19.

“The additional capacity will be essential as Scotland moves to the “test, trace, isolate and support” programme recently announced by the First Minister.”

From the start of lockdown, the University arranged to lend NHS Grampian high-value equipment for running the COVID-19 antigen test and staff from the institution have also volunteered to help with the testing. The University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute, the Moredun Institute and the Aberdeen Marine Laboratory have also loaned equipment.

Professor Paul Fowler, Director of the University of Aberdeen’s Institute of Medical Sciences, added:

“The University has always valued its excellent working relationship with NHS Grampian and we are delighted to be able to help with the effort during these difficult times.

“We’d also like to thank all our wonderful University staff who so kindly volunteered to work with NHS Grampian.”