SAS’s Mobile Testing Units deliver 2 million tests

The Scottish Ambulance Service’s Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) have reached the monumental milestone of delivering 2 million tests across Scotland, since the service was launched at the end of August 2020.

Over the last month, as the country faces further challenges with the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, the MTUs have been delivering 15,000 tests a day, helping the country to tackle the newest threat in the ongoing pandemic.

The MTUs have been one of biggest projects ever carried out at the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) and is one of the key measures in place to support the UK’s action plan against COVID-19. There are now 39 SAS-run MTU teams across the country and more than 1100 people employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service, providing a vital service to Scotland.

The MTUS can be dispatched quickly across the country so people in urban, rural and remote areas have easy access to a coronavirus test. The location of the units, which are requested by National Services Scotland through the Scottish Government, local authorities and health Boards, changes regularly to reflect demand.

John Alexander, General Manager for the Mobile Testing Units (MTUs), said: “Our dedicated MTU staff have been working tirelessly across Scotland to deliver tests, particularly over the last month as the programme has been ramped up to combat the Omicron virus.

“All of our MTU staff have done a fantastic job in providing tests to the people of Scotland over the past year and I’m extremely proud they’ve delivered two million tests since August 2020. We reached the 1 million mark on 1^st September 2021, one year and one day from the date of the MTUs going live, so to carry out another million tests in just over four months is a considerable achievement, and it’s testament to their dedication and hard work.”

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Humza Yousaf said:

“Our COVID-19 Mobile Testing units continue to play a crucial role in bringing testing capacity to communities who need it most. And reaching two million tests is incredible work. This is a reflection of the hard work, dedication and professionalism of Scottish Ambulance Service staff who are doing a challenging job in difficult circumstances.

“Through the work they are doing they are helping to identify and isolate cases and breaking chains of transmission. My thanks goes to every member of SAS staff for all that they are doing to care and support people across Scotland – and for working throughout the festive break to ensure that testing continued.”