The head of Bolton’s NHS Foundation Trust has called on the Serco track and trace system to be scrapped and handed back to local authorities.
Professor Donna Hall tweeted earlier today that
“NOW would be a great time to give test & trace back to local government public health teams & NHS organisations. The teams who have delivered millions of vaccinations so successfully. It’s braver to admit the Serco system should be scrapped now rather than drag it on into Spring.”
Hall has been an advocate of test and trace being run by local authorities since last spring writing in the Guardian back in May 2020 that “it’s councils that are best placed to lead the next crucial stage: tracing and testing.”
“Not only are councils naturally placed to respond quickly to the distinct needs, challenges and infection rates of their own area, but they are equipped with their own teams of public health professionals. All they need is the permission – and resources – from Westminster.”
Back in December 2020, the National Audit Office (NAO), published a report that raised serious questions about both implementation and the choice of delivery model involved in the scheme.
The report found that the system that was created is complex, with an organogram filling four pages of the NAO report. The report expresses particular concern about the unclear decision-making process, which it considers “bring risks of confused decision-making and, ultimately, could impair governance and accountability”.
It also had particular concerns about the fragmentation of the system and the limited initial engagement with local government
