GPs FEAR COVID SURGE

Doctors warn virus is on the rise again with hospital admissions up by a third | Worried GP claims winter testing and vaccination plans are a shambles

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

GPs have warned Scotland is on the brink of another Covid crisis as testing for frontline NHS staff is ditched and infections soar.

An email from a doctor has been leaked to the Daily Record showing they are worried about a new winter coronavirus surge and believe the current vaccine rollout is not fit for purpose.

The prominent GP, who we are not naming, told an MSP that Covid testing and vaccination this winter is a shambles".

The GP also criticised the Scottish Government's decision to stop testing for Covid among NHS staff when levels of infection are rising.

Last night, the government was urged to quickly allay GPs' fears, with Labour's Jackie Baillie describing the lack of planning for a corona surge as astonishing".

In the email, the doctor said: "There's an upswing in Covid and we have to stop testing our patients and staff immediately and we have no idea what vaccines are coming and when."

The GP continued: "It's been reported in the press there's an upswing in Covid. We haven't heard officially but GPs have been noticing this all over the place.

"Then yesterday we got a letter to say all testing was to stop, including frontline staff, unless we are vulnerable and may need treatment. I questioned the letter. It seemed odd we wouldn't, given the upswing.

"I spoke with our director of public health to clarify that and also clarify what's happening with vaccination as that seems a total shambles at the minute."

The GP blasted the uncertainty over this year's vaccination plan, with no decision yet having been taken over which vaccine those most in need will get.