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Pharmacists ‘stressed’ as people try to collect lateral flow tests every five minutes

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 29th December 2021

Pharmacies are facing a ‘huge problem’ as demand for lateral flow tests continues to outstrip a ‘patchy’ supply, experts say.

People are reportedly turning up to pharmacies every five minutes hoping to collect a box of rapid tests – but they don’t always get one.

It’s led to a ‘stressful’ situation for both pharmacists and patients.

The huge spike in demand for lateral flow tests has been triggered by changes to self-isolation rules.

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People now only need to isolate for seven days, rather than 10, as long as they test negative on both day six and day seven of their quarantine period.

Lateral flow test supply remains ‘patchy’. Credit: iStock Photo

The public has also been urged to use lateral flow tests before attending events or seeing vulnerable family members.

Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association Of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told BBC Radio 4‘s Today programme that demand is high, but supply is inconsistent.

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“What our members are telling us is that demand for the lateral flow tests is very high at the moment due to the current guidelines around self-isolation,” she said.

“Every five minutes, approximately, somebody comes into the pharmacy and asks for tests.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

“But unfortunately because of the issues around supply being patchy and inconsistent it means that those who come forward for the test don’t always get it, which is very stressful not just for the pharmacy but also for the patients.

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“The scale of the problem is huge because the demand is high, because of the current guidelines.

“People are doing the responsible thing by wanting to be tested and we are in the Christmas area of time, and the New Year is just around the corner and people want to be with family and friends.”

She also told Today: “It just simply isn’t enough to meet the demand and it’s patchy.

Read more: NHS worker finds ‘Chinese prisoner’s ID’ sewn into coat made by Manchester-owned clothing brand

“Some days you get one box delivered and other days none. It isn’t enough for the pharmacies to deliver to the patients.

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“We want to make sure that the message is clear to the Government that the supply needs to be consistent.”

People are also able to order lateral flow tests for home delivery through the Government website – but kits are often unavailable.

Many people are repeatedly met with a message that reads: “Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now.”

Featured image: Gov.uk

News

New cycle lanes and beer gardens closed as Northern Quarter building deemed ‘unsafe’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A section of the new cycleway through the Northern Quarter has been temporarily closed just weeks after opening, after a historic building was deemed to be ‘unsafe’.

Metal fences have now been erected on Thomas Street, blocking part of the cycle lanes and taking over valuable outdoor space for the bars and restaurants along the street.

The building in question stands on the corner of Thomas Street and John Street, once home to the Al Faisal takeaway.

It’s part of a block of 19th century properties in the area that back in 2018 were deemed to be in ”imminent danger of collapse’.

The fencing has been erected around an unsafe building on Thomas Street while scaffolding is built. Credit: The Manc Group

Councillors now say that the Northern Quarter building is unsafe, and will need to be propped up with scaffolding.

The owners of the building want to protect its historic facade but are unable to begin work immediately due to the high construction costs.

But until the scaffolding can be built, temporary fencing has been erected to protect members of the public.

It’s understood that the work will take up to 10 working days to complete.

Several images of the fencing have been circulation on social media, with the NQHQ account tweeting: “If you thought the cycleway through the Northern Quarter was sh*t…..well it just got sh*tter.”

Piccadilly Labour have said: “Building on the corner unfortunately deemed unsafe. Cllr @JonConnorLyons met with the owners who are putting up scaffolding and want to preserve the facade of the building – current construction costs are incredibly high for them to proceed with the development plans this year.”

Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons then added: “Winter weather has made the building vulnerable & cracks have formed which has resulted in the building having to be supported by scaffolding, whilst this happens, these fences have been put up to protect the public. Some reveal in this sort – that is a shame.”

Read more: Manchester City Council defends new cycle lanes through Northern Quarter as they’re branded ‘absurd’

Although the fencing is there in the public’s interest, several local hospitality businesses are concerned about the impact this will have on trade – especially as the fencing has appeared during the heatwave, when punters will be wanting to be outdoors to make the most of the sunny weather.

The Smithfield Social, which is part-owned by the Courteeners’ Liam Fray, has lost a chunk of its outdoor seating – though it does still have space for tables on Edge Street.

A spokesperson for the bar said: “The building works which commenced yesterday have impacted our outside trade significantly.

“We usually have eight tables out the front but after lengthy talks with councils and licensing we have come up with a solution which means we now have a severely reduced area with only four tables.

“The area seems to be an after thought as we are the only business affected by it. Fierce have moved their area but they do not lose any space.

“I have no doubt that we have lost significant patronage because of this, as who wants to sit outside with heavy machinery next to you and dust being blown in your face? Quite unfortunate timing with the great weather we are forecast to have over the coming days.”

The Manc has approached Manchester City Council for comment.

Featured image: The Manc Group

News

New stations appear across Manchester for city’s rentable ‘Burnham bike’ scheme

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The roll-out of Greater Manchester’s Bee Bike cycle hire scheme has stepped up a gear, with new docking stations appearing across the city centre.

The scheme, nicknamed the ‘Burnham bikes’ as a nod to London’s ‘Boris bikes’, initially launched in Salford and along the Oxford Road corridor.

Several new yellow stations have appeared around Manchester now, with plenty more on the way.

The next phase of the roll-out of the Bee Bikes has seen stations installed around St Peter’s Square and Manchester Central.

‘Burnham Bike’ cycle hire stations near St Peter’s Square. Credit: The Manc Group

By the time the scheme is complete, bike numbers will increase to 1,500, which will include 300 e-bikes.

It’s all part of the vision for a Bee Network – a joined-up, integrated public transport network across the region.

And it’s certainly off to a more successful start than Mobike, which famously withdrew from Manchester due to high levels of vandalism and theft.

The Bee Bikes are funded by TgGM and operated by Beryl, which runs similar schemes in London, Watford and Bournemouth.

Richard Nickson, programme director, Cycling and Walking at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The cycle hire scheme has really taken off in Greater Manchester since it was first introduced, and we are seeing significant numbers of riders and distances travelled by on the bikes- which is fantastic, particularly as we are still in the early days of the scheme’s roll out.

“The next phase of the roll-out has now started in Manchester city centre, with new stations installed at key locations including Manchester Central Library, Manchester Central Convention Centre and
St Peter’s Square.

Read more: Manchester is OFFICIALLY in the running to host Eurovision

“More stations are due to be installed in Manchester city centre over the coming weeks, before the scheme continues to expand its footprint to new locations in Salford and Trafford.

“Once complete the scheme will see bike numbers increase to 1,500 – including 300 e-bikes – and over 150 new stations in operation.”

To see all the new stations as they appear and find the nearest one to you, you can download the Bee Network Cycle Hire app.

Featured image: TfGM

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