The UK Government has today (Wednesday 11 August) opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre in Kilmarnock.

The test centre located at The Strand (KA1 1HU), is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises of eight drive through sites, 54 walk-through sites, 42 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.

In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all COVID testing and test processing outside of the NHS.

PCR tests must be booked in advance at: NHS Inform or by calling 119. People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) or have been instructed to do so by a clinician or NHS contact tracer.

Lateral flow test kits are also now available for pick up without an appointment at local walk-in or drive-through test sites from 8am – 8pm each day. Tests can also be ordered online or by phone by calling 119. For more information and to order a test kit online, go to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland – gov.scot

Health Minister, Lord Bethell, said:

We have built the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities in British history to ensure that everyone can get tested for covid-19 regularly. As a result, the UK is now a testing juggernaut, performing more tests than any comparable European country, which is helping to break chains of transmission, save lives and detect variants of concern.

New walk-in sites like this one make it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted, to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart said:

The UK Government continues to provide the bulk of testing in Scotland, a programme which is vital to our recovery from this pandemic. Alongside the roll-out of UK Government-funded vaccines, testing is helping us to manage the virus, slow down the rate of transmission and protect communities.

This new walk-through facility in Kilmarnock is the latest in our extensive network of testing centres supporting people in all parts of the UK.

Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government & Strategy Officer, said:

Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running. Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Kilmarnock who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.

Information for parents and carers who are offered screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) for their babies.

To support conversations with parents offered screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) for their baby.

Lisa Crawshaw, 46, was a director of Scunthorpe-based family haulage firm C&C Transport, from 2006 until 2020. She admitted to stealing over £1.7 million from the business, using the money to buy horses and equestrian equipment.

Her fellow directors, including her brother, were completely unaware of her actions, only discovering them when the business started receiving letters from creditors when the company was sold.

At her sentencing at Grimsby Crown Court in March 2021, Crawshaw said she found buying horses “more addictive than drugs”.

The company ceased trading in October 2018 but remained live on the Companies House register until August 2020 when it went into liquidation.

The disqualification undertaking, which runs for 12 years from 29 June 2021, means she must not directly or indirectly, become involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

Jo Walker, lead investigator in the case said:

Ms Crawshaw abused her position as a director of her company to commit fraud, and the length of her disqualification period should act as a deterrent to other directors who might be tempted to exploit their position in a similar way.

Notes to editors

Lisa Crashaw is from Gainsborough and her date of birth is March 1975.

C&C Transport (Scunthorpe) Ltd (Company Reg no. 05720902).

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings, or if court proceedings have already started, bring them to an immediate end.

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of restrictions. Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.