Town promised Covid testing centre – in Kent
‘It shows system is in chaos’ – MP
BUNGLING officials have promised Stockport a new coronavirus testing site 240 miles away.
The town’s MP Nav Mishra received a letter from the government advising a new testing site was opening ‘in your constituency’ - at the University of Greenwich’s Medway campus, in Kent.
The Department for Health and Social Care has since confirmed that the letter, signed by Lord Bethell, was sent in error.
A new testing site for Stockport actually opened at Tiviot Dale Church last Thursday.
The letter reads: “I hope this site will make it easier for many people in Brompton to access testing. We have worked with clinical advisors and Public Health England to ensure robust governance of the trial.
“Before selecting this site we have engaged with local stakeholders to narrow down the location and identify a suitable site.”
Labour MP Mr Mishra said while the letter may have been sent by mistake, it was further evidence the testing system was in chaos.
He said: “I think it shows some of the people behind the test and trace programme don’t have a grip on the situation.
“We need local test centres available free of cost to local residents - especially people who work in social care and heath care.
“It may have been sent in error but just goes to show the government hasn’t got a grip on the testing regime - it just adds to the misery of the population.”
Mr Mishra, who was elected as the town’s MP in December, added: “There are other places in the world - like Germany and South Korea - that have been doing mass testing for a long time.
“But in this country we don’t seem able to crack it and people are suffering.”
Stockport council says it has testing available in locations in the borough, as well as at Manchester airport and the Etihad stadium.
People without access to a car can book a home test.
To book a test visit www. gov. uk/ get- coronavirus-test; or ring 119.