THE government’s disastrous handling of Covid-19 testing has become a “total shambles,” Labour’s shadow health secretary said today.

Pharmacies across Britain have reported running out of supplies, turning away anxious patients requesting to be tested via home lateral flow kits.

The head of the organisation representing independent pharmacies said that a lack of lateral flow tests is a “huge problem caused by low, patchy and inconsistent supplies.”

Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies chief executive Leyla Hannbeck said that over Christmas, pharmacies had received requests for tests every five minutes but could not administer them because of supply shortages.

“Unfortunately, because of the issues around supply being patchy and inconsistent, it means that those who come for the test don’t always get it, which is very stressful — not just for the pharmacy team but for the patient.

“Some days you get one box delivered and other days none. It isn’t enough for the pharmacies to deliver to the patients.”

Nearly 900,000 test kits are being provided per day according to the UK Health Security Agency — double the supply seen before December 18 — but Ms Hannbeck said this “isn’t enough to meet the surge in demand.”

Wes Streeting said: “The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles.

“People are trying to do the right thing — follow the government’s own advice and test themselves regularly — but are prevented by the Conservative government’s incompetence.

“They need to get a grip and provide enough tests so that people can keep themselves and everyone else safe.”

The government’s Health Security Agency said that reduced postal services over Christmas were partly to blame.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged revellers to take a test ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations, despite the supply issues.