After a call from NHS Test and Trace, a father described his surprise at the message that was left by his mobile phone. It appeared to indicate that the caller had been having sex.
After testing positive for Covid-19 in a PCR, William Ryan from Basildon (Essex) missed a call by NHS Test and Trace.
BBC Essex reports that Ryan was shocked to hear a number of sounds that indicated that the staff member had engaged in sexual activity after listening to the phone call.
Ryan stated that he checked the number for legitimacy before making a formal complaint.
UK Health Security Agency, which is the responsible of Test and Trace systems in the UK, said they were investigating and speaking to the Employment Agency that hires call handlers.
After testing positive for Covid-19, William Ryan from Basildon (Essex) missed an NHS Test and Trace call. (Stock image)
BBC Essex was told by Mr Ryan that they called him early because I was asleep and then I woke to hear a voicemail.
“I couldn’t recognize the phone number, so I started listening to it. I wasn’t happy with the sound quality. It came up with the Test and Trace number. I searched the number.
Ryan spoke of hearing people conversing with one another before several sounds were made.
He continued: ‘Two people were talking and then the two people were having sex really. The effect was that someone was having fun on a professional conference call.
Mr Ryan added: ‘I was quite shocked I had to listen to it around three or four times and I sent it to a few people and was like ”am I hearing right?”
“Everyone who I sent it said that it was exactly what you are saying it was.”
A week later Mr Ryan received a call from the same number and decided to make a complaint.
Ryan was contacted by a member of senior staff, who requested that he email his voicemail clip as well as a screenshot.
Ryan now describes the incident as “unprofessional” and says he wants to apologize.
He stated, “It’s not professional. It’s not unusual for people to work from home. Myself, I work from home and have kids.
“If I receive a telephone call I will either walk in my yard, or outside my shed.
He added: ‘I just want an apology really and truly.’
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said they are investigating the matter and talking to the employment agency
Ryan was informed that he would have to wait for the UKHSA investigation into the matter to complete.
He stated, “I don’t believe this could ever happen to me in a million.”
“Someone left that kind of voicemail on your phone.”
In October, a damning report by MPs claimed the £37billion NHS Test and Trace service had been an ‘eye-wateringly expensive’ failure and had failed to break chains of Covid transmission, prevent lockdowns or enable people to return to a more normal way of life.
According to the Public Accounts Committee, this organisation was previously headed by Baroness Harding (ex-TalkTalk boss), and also has a’muddled” mission.
Nearly a fifth (25%) of 2020/21 NHS England’s budget was spent on Test and Trace.
Only 45 percent of test capacity was used from November 2020 to April 2021. Sometimes, even 11% of contact center staff were being utilized.
Matt Hancock (the then Health Secretary) championed the programme, while Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, described it as a ‘world-beating program’.