Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar is calling on the Welsh Government to establish a North Wales lab to analyse Covid-19 test results.
Currently all swab tests for the virus which are carried out in the region have to go to a laboratory in Cardiff for analysis, which prolongs the time it takes for people to get their results.
Darren said:
“There is an urgent need for a North Wales lab to analyse Covid-19 test results and it’s ridiculous that this is yet to be established so long after the declaration of the pandemic.
“Testing capacity in Wales is falling well short of what we were promised by the Welsh Government and this will help to boost it as well as ensure that people in North Wales get their results more quickly."
Former Conwy MP Betty Williams is also calling for a lab to be established in North Wales following the death of her husband from suspected Coronavirus on Good Friday.
Darren added:
“When people are tested for Covid-19 they, and their loved ones, are obviously extremely worried and want answers as quickly as possible. Delaying the process by sending tests to Cardiff is causing them considerable distress which could be so easily avoided if there were a lab here in North Wales. Delaying the process is also putting lives at risk.
“I urge the Welsh Government to listen to the calls from both Mrs Williams and myself and work to establish a laboratory in North Wales as a matter of urgency.”