AN investigation has been launched after a Basildon man complained that a voicemail he received from the NHS Test and Trace service 'sounded like two people having sex'.

The story came to light in a BBC Essex report when Basildon resident William Ryan, who had tested positive for Covid, told the news service he was "disgusted" by the message.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed it had received a complaint and was investigating jointly with an employment agency.

Mr Ryan, who was asleep when the message was left on 27 December, said it sounded like "two people talking and then two people having sex".

He told the BBC he wanted an apology after submitting his phone records as part of his complaint.

'It's unprofessional'. "I wouldn't think in a million years this would happen - someone leaving that sort of voicemail on my phone," he said. "It's unprofessional - I know people are working from home, I'm working from home.

"That voicemail could have been left on anyone's phone, really and truly."

Mr Ryan said he was contacted by NHS Test and Trace after testing positive for Covid-19 last month.

In a statement, a UKHSA spokeswoman confirmed it had received a complaint about an NHS Test and Trace call handler. "UKHSA contracts external service providers to deliver this service and expects high standards of all contracted staff at all times," she said.

"We are investigating the matter jointly with the employing agency and have additionally written directly to the complainant.

"We will ensure this service provider takes any action necessary following the investigation and we will continue to work with all our service providers to ensure high quality services are delivered at all times."