I was recently contacted by the family of an 18-month-old child who was very ill. The family contacted their GP who refused to see the child until he or she had a Covid test. By the time the parents had sourced a test and got the result, it was the weekend and the GP was closed. They contacted Doctor on Call, whose doctor refused to see the child and told the parents to bring the child to accident and emergency. Our hospitals are under enough pressure as it is, between Covid and flu. Many people are telling me that it is impossible to get a doctor's appointment at the moment. This issue has to be dealt with in some way. I suggest that an antigen test could suffice in this instance. I know doctors have to be careful in treating people who may have Covid but, at the same time, somebody will end up losing their life if people are not seen in these circumstances.

We have to be guided by our scientists and public health experts in the use of antigen testing. It is being used in many workplaces throughout the country, but my understanding is the only circumstances in which it is being more broadly used is in the context of someone having had a PCR test, having been vaccinated or having a concern but no symptoms. At that point, antigen testing is being allowed in some circumstances. It is a matter for the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, to advise us on whether it should be used in circumstances beyond that. Currently, NPHET is encouraging use in certain circumstances but not beyond that and not in the circumstances the Deputy referred to. It is one of the reasons we are trying to support our GPs even more because we are aware of the many challenging circumstances and cases they are facing at present.