Chaos as Coventry resident offered Covid test in Inverness...

[dutchman]

...while people in Essex told to go to Coventry

Dozens of Coventry residents have reported being unable to get Covid tests – or being told to drive miles to access one.

It comes after instances are reported across the country of people having difficulty accessing tests.

People have been asked to get tests only if they have coronavirus symptoms while health secretary Matt Hancock caused anger yesterday by claiming that there were issues with the availability of tests because ‘ineligible’ people were requesting them.

CoventryLive highlighted the case earlier this week of a Coventry parent being told to drive to Moffat in Scotland – more than 200 miles away – to get a test for their child.

And since then, many readers have reported similar issues.

One reader said they were directed to Inverness for a test.

Meanwhile people in other parts of the country have spoken out after being told to drive to Coventry for tests.

Our sister paper EssexLive reported yesterday that a resident there was told their nearest place for a test was in Coventry.

And Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, East London reported that one of her constituents was also directed to travel 130 miles to Coventry to get a test.

Many people in Coventry have come forward to say they have had issues booking tests.

[dutchman]

'That’s the first I’ve heard of that happening': Matt Hancock’s response to Cov parent told to drive to Scotland for Covid test



Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been accused of trying to “shirk” responsibility after a Coventry parent was told to drive to Scotland to get a coronavirus test.

As reported yesterday, the parent had requested a test for the child, who had symptoms of Covid-19 and was advised by the child’s school to seek a test.

But the government website said the nearest test centre with availability was in Moffat, Scotland – more than 200 miles away and a round trip of at least eight hours.

Taiwo Owatemi, MP for Coventry North West, tackled the health secretary over the issue at a meeting of the health and social care select committee.

Mr Hancock told her that the example was “the first I’ve heard of that happening” since a policy had been introduced that gives people access to tests within 75 miles.

And this morning on breakfast television, Mr Hancock pointed the blame for the lack of local testing capability at people who are not eligible for tests.

Ms Owatemi said she was “outraged” at the comments.

She added: “On Monday I wrote to Matt Hancock to demand why a child with COVID symptoms in Coventry was sent 216 miles to Scotland for a test. Yesterday, I asked him in person, and he wasn’t able to tell me. This morning, however, he has tried to blame the general public for the Government’s failures with their testing system.

“I am outraged that Matt Hancock has tried to shirk the blame to my constituents. People in Coventry have made colossal sacrifices throughout this crisis. The least the Government can do in return is provide local and accessible testing here in Coventry.”

[rebbonk]

How do you know when Hancock is lying? His lips move!