By Kristy Dorsey

A Scottish technology firm is on course to deliver more than two million Covid-19 testing kits in support of the Government’s Test, Trace, Isolate and Support (TTIS) programme to unlock the country’s economy.

Hutchison International, part of Dundee-based Hutchison Technologies, is delivering its third consignment of swab testing kits to NHS Scotland for distribution to health boards across the country. The tests are coming from China, where Hutchison has a medical quality assurance team that has vetted the kits to ensure they meet all appropriate standards.

“When the call for help came from Scottish Enterprise in April, the supply chain management team at Hutchison took up the challenge to assist NHS National Services Scotland to source vital supplies, and I am proud of the support we have been able to provide,” said Bruce Hutchison, the company’s founder and chief executive.

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A former telecoms engineer, Mr Hutchison set the business up in 1991 as a telecoms technology provider. The company, which is on course for revenues of £20 million in the current financial year, has since expanded into smart energy products and medical training devices.

Hutchison was already supplying PPE and virus collection kits to the NHS. The deal for the swab tests got the go-ahead following approval of a sample consignment by NHS Scotland.

“We are pleased that the fulfilment of this order will help with the expansion of Covid-19 testing to include everyone over the age of five with symptoms,” said Gordon Beattie, procurement director at NHS National Services Scotland. “This will support the new TTIS approach which will be used to keep transmission in communities low as the country comes out of lockdown.”