The LFT saga continues

and it gets worse for the DHSC, UKHSA and MHRA

Here is my latest reply to the DHSC (swap DHSC for UKHSA and you will get the gist of their e-mail):

Sirs,

Thank you for your reply and the information supplied.

In the answer you say:

“DHSC does not hold the information you have requested. This is because we are not the appropriate authority to contact on this subject."

However, you may wish to contact the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which may hold information relevant to your request. Contact details for UKHSA can be found at  

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency. “

But I have already contacted the UKHSA with the exact same question and received this answer in regard to the reference "Case ref 55 - FOI request"

“ 1 - where was the SARS-CoV-2 virus stock supplied from? 

Response 

In accordance with Section 1(1)(a) of the Act, UKHSA can confirm that it does not hold the information you have specified. 

Under Section 16 of the Act, public services have an obligation to provide advice and assistance. Accordingly, you may wish to raise a request with the Department of Health and Social Care who can be contacted at freedomofinformation@dhsc.gov.uk. “

So they tell me they do not have the information and to contact the DHSC and when I do get the the answer “contact the UKHSA” I am at a bit of a loss on what Government Department is actually responsible for actually verifying the DHSC manufactured LFD tests work as specified.

In the UK Government titled “Protocol for evaluation of rapid diagnostic assays for specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens (lateral flow devices)” that I received as a link in a previous FOI (FOI-2097) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessment-and-procurement-of-coronavirus-covid-19-tests/protocol-for-evaluation-of-rapid-diagnostic-assays-for-specific-sars-cov-2-antigens-lateral-flow-devices answer it states:

""Saliva samples from 15 different individuals will be spiked with SARS-CoV-2 virus stock (7.8x106 plaque forming units(pfu)/mL VIC/1/2020) “”

So can you please tell me if this evaluation process eventook place or is taking place as stated in the UK Government document linked to?

I will also ask this of the UKHSA.

It just gets worse and worse.