Why were Hull key workers offered virus tests in Ireland? My questions for Matt Hancock – Diana Johnson

THIS is a letter that Hull North MP Dame Diana Johnson has sent to Matt Hancock, the Health and Social Care Secretary, on testing.
The Government's testing arrangements for Covid-19 are being called into question as delays increase.The Government's testing arrangements for Covid-19 are being called into question as delays increase.
The Government's testing arrangements for Covid-19 are being called into question as delays increase.

Dear Matt,

I am writing to you regarding local concerns in Hull North about the Government’s Covid-19 testing programme and its performance over the past week or so.

As you will know, these concerns centre around the prompt accessibility of tests to those experiencing coronavirus symptoms, as well as the locations, if any, of available testing sites.

Dame Diana Johnson, the Hull North MP, has written to Healrth and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock about Covid-19 testing arrangements.Dame Diana Johnson, the Hull North MP, has written to Healrth and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock about Covid-19 testing arrangements.
Dame Diana Johnson, the Hull North MP, has written to Healrth and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock about Covid-19 testing arrangements.
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This is amid reports that once laboratories have reached full capacity for processing tests, the appointments system has then been suspended. This appears to be the case across the country – irrespective of local Covid prevalence rates.

My constituents have contacted me about their experiences, specifically on ease of access and location of testing sites. I would like to share some of the responses:

Constituent A was unable to book a Covid test for her young child who had a fever and high temperature, having tried online and over the phone. As she was previously shielding, and therefore vulnerable, she is understandably worried. She is a key worker in a special school and is isolating until her child’s status is confirmed via a Covid test.

Constituent B was offered Doncaster and Ireland for a Covid-19 test. When trying to accept a test at Doncaster she was unable to select a slot. Again, both the constituent and her partner are key workers and feel that they should be prioritised for tests.

The use of Covid-19 testing centres is being called into question.The use of Covid-19 testing centres is being called into question.
The use of Covid-19 testing centres is being called into question.
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Constituent C’s young child began with a new persistent cough that rapidly progressed into a fever and sore throat on a Sunday evening. The constituent called 119 more than five times and was finally put through to an operator only to be told that no tests were available and advised to try again at 8am the next day to book a slot. As of midday on the Monday, no test slot had been available to book.

Constituent D is a store manager for a local business. He and one of his staff are self-isolating after experiencing symptoms, but have been unable to book a test online or over the phone. This is causing emotional strain on the constituent and his colleagues, as well as a financial strain on their business.

Constituent E’s young child woke on Sunday with a fever and was generally unwell. The constituent immediately tried to book a test online, only to find that none was available. Both the constituent and their partner are key workers. After a few hours of trying to book a test online and over the phone, a slot became available in Doncaster, meaning that the family took a three hour round trip with an ill child – passing the empty Humber Bridge site as they travelled.

I am sure that you can appreciate and understand the worries of my constituents who are displaying symptoms of this deadly virus.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock addresses MPs on Tuesday.Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock addresses MPs on Tuesday.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock addresses MPs on Tuesday.
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Furthermore, I hope that you can also understand the concerns of those who are non-symptomatic but who, for various reasons, need a test to enable them to return to work – perhaps in an occupation that would be classed as a ‘key worker’. These problems appear to be widespread and persistent. I would be grateful if you could provide the following information:

1. An update on the nationwide Covid-19 testing capabilities for both essential and non-essential workers, specifically covering the capacity of laboratories and what extra provisions are being put in place to expand capacity and ease demand.

2. An update on the Humber Bridge car park testing facility, specifically the numbers of appointments used in the last week as well as the speed of processing for completed tests in the past month. I have been experiencing great difficulty obtaining data on the work being done at this contractor-run site.

3. Given many of the examples above, regarding children who have recently returned to school, what extra testing capacity has the Government put in place to deal with this new risk?

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4. The University of Hull has recently started its new term with more than 14,500 students expected on campus. The University and the Government, with Deloitte contracted by your Department, are soon installing a testing facility on the campus. I am grateful for this provision, but what has the Government done to increase laboratory capacity in order to process these tests?

5. What plans do you have to use private sector laboratories to enlarge capacity and will tests be sent abroad to cope with demand?

While appreciating the challenges that you are facing, the urgency of resolving the evident local testing capacity shortages is central to saving lives, protecting our NHS and, alongside the development of a vaccine, the key to returning our economic life to normality.

Yours sincerely,

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James Mitchinson

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