‘People are trying to do the right thing but can’t’
Testing centre virtually empty while people struggle with bookings
ONE of Leicester’s biggest coronavirus testing centres stood virtually empty last week as people up and down the country tried to make appointments.
One Leicester man needing a swab was turned away from a testing station at Evington leisure centre when he could not book an appointment online.
A Hinckley pensioner was offered a slot at a testing centre in Aberdeen – 440 miles and a 15-hour round trip away.
Yet when the Birstall park and ride site was visited last week, only one vehicle was present at the seven testing stations and there were no queues.
The Department of Health and Social Care has insisted the system is working, but there have been widespread problems reported by those trying to book tests.
While people from Leicestershire were being directed as far away as Aberdeen, people in Cheltenham, Anglesey, Worcester and Birmingham have been told to drive to Leicester to be swabbed.
Arun Sigh, who had been in close contact with someone who has the virus, drove to the centre in Downing Drive for a test, but had not booked.
Staff told him to book an appointment on his phone while he was there.
“They said as long as I had a QR code I’d be able to have a test,” Mr Singh said.
“So even if I was offered a slot at Aberdeen it wouldn’t matter because he could still process it. I parked up and tried to book”
However, he said the gov.uk website did not offer any appointments and staff were forced to turn him away as a result. Mr Singh said: “It’s mad that a time when people need to be tested the centres are empty and people can’t make appointments.
“We’re always being told, get tested, get tested but we can’t.
“My worry now is how they are going to make a decision on whether or not we come out of lockdown when they don’t have accurate testing results.
“People are trying to do the right thing but can’t.”
Debra Holloway tried to book a test for her husband Barrington after he developed a cough.
She opted to travel to Telford 55 miles away rather than Aberdeen, but when they arrived, Mr Holloway, 76, was turned away.
Mrs Holloway said: “I tried to book a test for days, when I eventually could I was offered appointments at Telford, London and Aberdeen!
“A mile from the testing site, we encountered stationary traffic, so my husband got out to walk in case he missed the appointment time.
“When he got to the front he was turned away by the police, who said the centre was closed. It seems the appointment hadn’t been booked properly because I didn’t get a QR code.
“There must have been a system error because others were asking my husband what had happened and it was the same for them.”
Leicester City Council confirmed the location of test centres in the city and said: “If you have symptoms of coronavirus, please be aware that due to demand nationally, you may not be able to book or access a test immediately.
“In these circumstances, it is really important you continue to selfisolate to prevent transmission.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said there is availability at sites in Leicester as of last week.
He said: “NHS Test and Trace is working. Our capacity is the highest it has ever been and our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week.
“As we manage a period of high demand, it is especially important that if individuals don’t have symptoms, and have not specifically been advised to take a test, they should not be coming forward because they could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it.
“Demand for testing is increasing and as such some test sites will have reductions of testing capacity, so we can keep maximum capacity in highest risk areas.
“Areas with lower prevalence will have reductions of testing capacity so people may see emptier sites and less bookings available.”
The DHSC did not provide figures for how many tests were carried out at Birstall park and ride.
To book a test call 119 or visit: