GPS have been left out of the testing process

sir – To accuse GPS of “abandoning” patients and not taking their symptoms seriously (report, July 4) is grossly unfair.

GPS cannot carry out tests for Covid-19 because they are not part of the testing process. However, the Royal College of General Practitioners has led the calls for GPS to be able to arrange tests, as they would for other conditions, and for results to be automatically uploaded to GP records, both to minimise the spread of the virus and so that we can help patients to plan their recovery.

It has been business as usual in general practice throughout the pandemic, with GPS delivering care to patients with Covid-19 and those with other conditions. Our new ways of remote working have enabled GPS and our teams to continue delivering the vast majority of NHS patient contacts, thereby preventing the rest of the health service from being overwhelmed.

GPS are well aware of the long-term effects of the virus – mental, emotional and physical – and will be at the forefront of helping patients to rebuild their lives over the coming months and years.

Professor Martin Marshall

Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners

London NW1

sir – I was surprised that Charles Moore (Notebook, July 7) found it so difficult to understand the instructions that came with his Covid-19 test.

I also took part in this trial, and found the instructions easy to follow. The pictorial one for constructing the return box was also clear.

The courier collected the test, addressed to a laboratory in Camberley, on Friday morning and I received the result (negative) the following Monday morning.

John Hellings

Emsworth, Hampshire