RAF servicemen on Saudi trip took private coronavirus test as NHS was too slow

RAF servicemen were forced to get private coronavirus tests for a trip to Saudi Arabia because NHS turnaround time was too slow, the Telegraph can reveal.

Those travelling to the Middle East on a diplomatic repatriation flight were required to show the authorities the results of a Covid-19 test which had been completed within 48 hours of arrival and were unable to get one from the British Government.

As a result the military personnel contacted the Private Harley Street Clinic who carried out tests and returned them within 12 hours.

Boris Johnson had promised that all tests would be turned around in 24 hours by the end of last month.

However, the latest figures available, covering the period until June 24, showed that four in 10 carried out by mobile units and three in 10 at regional drive through centres were taking longer than that.

It is the latest in a long line of failings and missed targets for the Government’s testing programme.

As a result, says Dr Mark Ali, medical director of the clinic, many people are turning to private practice to get results.

"They needed to have a 24 hour turnaround in order to fly,” Dr Ali said of the RAF tests. “The Lieutenant Colonel said that she tried every single element of the government and they said that they simply couldn't provide a 24 hour turnaround."

Before the flight around three weeks ago he provided them with tests with a 12 hours laboratory turn around time and “everybody was able to get on the plane”, he said, adding that his staff were “super proud of being able to help out”

A spokesman for the RAF confirmed that “a small number of military personnel and families who are working in a Saudi export trade related area have utilised such testing.”

It is understood that other passengers on the flight included Government officials and their families who had been separated when lockdown was imposed.

Two members of staff from the Department for International Trade on the plane were tested by the NHS, a spokesman said.

The clinic charges £195 for an at home test or £250 for a test at your home or a clinic carried out by a medical professional.

The RAF spokesman said all costs for the test were covered by the Saudi Government.

They added: “To be absolutely clear, this form of testing is not and will not be applicable to any RAF Squadrons, the NHS is doing a great job and offers the RAF everything we need.”

Dr Ali said that this was just a precursor to a “huge market” for tests for international travel which is emerging as commercial flights open up again.

He is also working with a number of big companies and has opened a clinic in Canary Wharf .

Dr Ali says that he believes that point of care saliva based test will soon be available, though for Public Health England (PHE) to certify it will “take a lot longer”.

“I have been asked for point of care tests by a number of different organisations including a massive film production company with 4,500 employees. They’re desperate for it because they're here on location filming and they want to be testing every two days or in some cases even every day,” he said.

“I have said that in three weeks’ time, which is pretty much when they need it, I think we'll have access to point of care. When we are there, that would be the company's decision. If I am satisfied that the data is robust then I'll be happy to provide it on a preclinical trial basis in tandem with a PHE approved test to validate it.”