PCR & Lateral Flow Test Testing

Response to this request is long overdue. By law, under all circumstances, Department of Health (Northern Ireland) should have responded by now (details). You can complain by requesting an internal review.

Dear Department of Health (Northern Ireland),

I am lead to believe that you are responsible for the national initiative for asymptomatic testing using the Lateral Flow Test/Device in Northern Ireland. Can you confirm this is the case?

If so, when did this start in NI?

And who is helping you with the data collection generated through the testing?

Also before the LFT was used and it was PCR testing used for the national initiative testing outside of Northern Irelands trusts and hospitals. What date did you stop using the PCR test as the mains means of testing?

On the 27-29th December 2020 were you responsible for organising the testing outside of hospitals on those days in Northern Irealnd? If so what type of test was used and if it was the PCR what CT cycles were used on those days?

What guidance or advice are giving to the ones testing about CT cycles and how they should be adjusted or used?

Yours faithfully,

stephen-ciaran

DoH FOI, Department of Health (Northern Ireland)

Dear Sir

We have received your request below. However in order for us to progress your request could you please confirm your full name.

Regards

Jeff Burns
Information Management Branch
Department of Health (NI)

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Dear DoH FOI,

stephen ciaran mccann

Yours sincerely,

stephen-ciaran

McCann, John (DOH), Department of Health (Northern Ireland)

2 Attachments

We have received your Freedom of Information request and I attach your acknowledgement letter and a Public Information Leaflet.

John McCann
Information Management Branch
Department of Health
Tel: 02890 528218

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Dear McCann, John (DOH),

I would like to remind you that you have a legal obligation with regards to this matter. And expect your response as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

stephen-ciaran

McCann, John (DOH), Department of Health (Northern Ireland)

Sorry

Can I have your full name please.

John McCann
Information Management Branch
DoH
Tel: 02890 528218

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Dear McCann, John (DOH),

I already gave you my full name above stephen-ciaran mccann. Please focus on getting me the requested information as it should not be taken this long.

Yours sincerely,

stephen-ciaran

DoH Covid-19 Directorate, Department of Health (Northern Ireland)

Mr McCann

I firstly must apologise for the delay in answering your request for
information. The Department is aware that we are outside the legislative
time to respond.  As I am sure you will understand, resources within the
Department and wider health organisations throughout Northern Ireland,
have been stretched over the last number of months due to ongoing and ever
changing COVID-19 challenges. A considerable number of staff have been
redeployed from their normal “day jobs” to work solely on the response to
the current pandemic.

We are working on a response to your query, I am sorry that I cannot give
you a definite date for reply to the questions. Please see link below to
the NI Direct COVID-19 Website which may be of use to you.

[1]Coronavirus (COVID-19) | nidirect

Regards

COVID-19 Response Directorate

 

 

 

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Dear DoH Covid-19 Directorate,

You are now 4 weeks overdue. I have no other option but to request an internal review.

Yours sincerely,

stephen-ciaran

DoH Covid-19 Directorate, Department of Health (Northern Ireland)

1 Attachment

Good morning Mr McCann

Please find attached response to your FOI Request.

Kind regards

Joy

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Dear DoH Covid-19 Directorate,

Hi Joy,

Thank you for your reply. I would like to know who holds the information regarding the CT cycles used outside of trusts as part of the national initiative?

Yours sincerely,

stephen-ciaran