Derbyshire residents being offered Covid tests - in Scotland

They have branded the process of trying to book a test an ‘absolute joke’, ‘infuriating’ and ‘stressful’

NHS organisations in Derbyshire are also saying their workforce is being depleted when they are needed most because they are unable to get their children tested – restricting them to self-isolation.

A lack of laboratory capacity is said to be at the centre of the issue, with people seeking Covid-19 tests being directed dozens or hundreds of miles away to the ‘nearest’ available facility.

They have also been told home testing kits are unavailable and that ringing the helpline will not help them in their efforts, but to wait and try again.

This is despite health officials urging people to get a test, either at a drive-through site or in the post, within five days of developing symptoms.

Robert Largan, High Peak MP, said in Parliament this week that it was ‘very concerning” that residents were still being asked to travel as far as 150 miles to Sunderland for their “nearest’ Covid testing site.

This, he said, was particularly alarming as neighbouring Tameside in Greater Manchester, which shares a border with Glossopdale, saw the nation’s largest number of Covid-related deaths.

The borough also has one of the highest rates of Covid-19 cases in the UK.

He asked for assurance from government that laboratory and testing capacities were ‘ramped up as a matter of urgency’.

Matt Hancock, health secretary, responded: “Of course there are challenges that we are working very hard to address both in Derbyshire and nearby in Greater Manchester.

“Across Derbyshire as a whole in the last week, there have been almost 4,000 tests done, so the testing capacity is there.

“The challenge is the increase in demand and we have to make sure that the people who are getting the tests that are available are the people who need them most.”

There are two Covid-19 testing sites in Derbyshire, at Toyota in Burnaston and at the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield.

There is also a council-operated mobile testing site which rotates around the county and city.

From October 1 to October 3, it will be on the Whysall Street East Car Park in Heanor.

Derbyshire residents Louise Rayner, Sean Richards, Amber Carpenter, Shantelle Piggott, Jordan Muggleton, Sharon Williamson, Noeah Rae, Isabel Sanders and Sam Blackshaw have been sharing their experiences of using the testing system.

Louise said: “It’s an absolute shambolic system for booking.

"Today was our fourth day of trying and finally managed to get booked for a test.

“We just returned home from Nottingham Motorpoint Arena test site, the staff there were absolutely fantastic, great set up but hardly any cars there getting tested despite the four days trying to get booked in anywhere.

“Phone and online both saying no tests available anywhere, no postal tests, it’s just ridiculous.

“Yesterday we got offered to choose a test site in Atherstone in Warwickshire, so clicked through and no available slots, then Bolton was able to be selected this morning, it was showing slots available but none there to actually book.

"It’s an absolute joke, so stressful.”

Sean said: “I kept trying for for days to get a drive-through appointment but there was nothing available so I just went to Toyota one without an appointment and they still swabbed me and gave me a barcode for me to log on the information afterwards so I can get my test results.”

Amber said: “I tried from Wednesday 2.30pm, managed to finally get a home test – or drive to Oldham – at 7.50am Thursday morning, it arrived Friday morning, sent back Friday at 4pm and still awaiting results.

"They’ve told me it can be up to a week.”

Shantelle commented: “I’ve been trying for two days to get my son tested. Me and his dad both work at the hospital and we now have to isolate because he can’t be tested – it’s infuriating.”

Jordan said: “My seven-year-old son has developed a constant cough and had a high temperature so we contacted 111 who told us all to isolate for 14 days until we could get a test with a negative result.

“For three days solid now myself and my partner have been trying with no luck.

"We have contacted the doctors and even 119 who tell us to do exactly what we are and will continue to do.

“We have access to a car so we can travel, but the test sites have been offered are in Bolton and Warwickshire – but apparently no tests are available when clicking on them.”

Sharon said: “I tried all day Sunday – no testing sites came up.

"I drove to the Pirelli Stadium in Burton, also nothing, so drove to Toyota and the testing site was there but it closed.”

Noeah said: “I tried and they offered Manchester, so I tried again and was offered Glasgow.

On the third day I finally got Leicester and luckily I drive – it’s not ideal for those who don’t.”

Isabel commented: “My six-year-old was poorly and couldn’t go back to school till we did a test.

“I couldn’t get a test posted and I tried the drive in sites five times and the distances ranged from Walsall to Wales.”

Sam said: “It took from Friday until Sunday to get a test in Nottingham – after being repeatedly told none were available or offered too far away.

“We got Birmingham, Leicester, Coventry, Selby, Halifax, Bradford, Deeside and even Aberdeen.

"The system just doesn’t work.

"A test was finally available Sunday but so far no results.”

The current rate of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, as of the week ending September 18, is 23.5 – up from 12.8 – for Derbyshire county.