End of free tests for NHS will impact patient care, GP warns
Dr Nishant Joshi told the PA news agency he worries staff will be ‘treating some of our most vulnerable patients like sitting ducks once again’.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A GP has warned patient care will be impacted if NHS staff are unable to access free coronavirus tests from April.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out his Living with Covid plan for England on Monday, saying that free testing for the general public would end on April 1.
Dr Nishant Joshi, a 33-year-old GP based in Luton, Bedfordshire, told the PA news agency the announcement was “definitely going to affect patient care”.
He said visits to vulnerable patients would be especially impacted, adding: “We’re going out to see patients every day at care homes, residential homes, their own homes. These are very vulnerable patients.
“I just worry that we’re going back to treating some of our most vulnerable patients like sitting ducks once again.”
Dr Joshi also warned the cost of staff getting tests for themselves could become a problem.
He said: “We talk about the cost of a loaf of bread (and) a pint of milk. Are we going to have to start adding in the price of Covid tests as well into our weekly budget? It just seems completely unreasonable at a time when things have never been more expensive.
“Nurses at food banks: how can you look these nurses in the eye and say ‘we know you’re struggling but also we’re going to ask you to pay more?’
“It’s just a very unreasonable thing to do at a time when NHS staff have enough to worry about.”
I just worry that we're going back to treating some of our most vulnerable patients like sitting ducks once again
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “If NHS staff need tests they will be provided with free tests – that will be a decision for the NHS.
“Even before Covid, the NHS has always sensibly made a decision on tests and keeping their staff safe, because keeping staff safe means keeping their patients safe and it’s always about patient safety.”