NHS Test and Trace system 'failing' as Portsmouth people directed to Manchester for tests

The online Test and Trace system today was telling people with a PO postcode their nearest site would be Manchester Airport, an eight-hour 470-mile round trip, research by The News revealed.

That is despite there being a a drive-through site at Tipner in Portsmouth and a test centre at the University of Portsmouth.

And previously a person in Gosport was directed to the test site at Chessington World of Adventures, in Greater London, rather than the Tipner site, the Press Association reported.

Driving from Gosport to the Portsmouth centre takes around 26 minutes for the 11-mile trip, while driving from Gosport to Chessington takes almost 90 minutes for a 67-mile journey.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan told The News: ‘With the government’s own website failing to point people to the correct local coronavirus test centre, it’s clear that Mr Johnson’s £10 billion centralised contact tracing system is nowhere near “world beating”.

‘We still don’t have test, track and trace up and running, the public health advice is unclear, and people still do not have confidence in the government’s approach.

‘What we’ve got simply isn’t up to the task. People deserve clarity, clear communications, and a concise plan from the government. With error after error, Ministers must get on and implement this without delay.’

According to PA, some people with a Southampton postcode were being directed to Swindon – around a four-hour round trip.

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Problems with the booking system have been raised since the beginning of the crisis and last month some residents in Portsmouth were sent to the car park of a gym in Midhurst and were met with military staff without PPE.

The testing site at Tipner has faced issues including the wrong postcode being given as the address and delays in getting results.

Shadow health minister Justin Madders said: ‘From the first days when testing centres were being rolled out, we have heard stories of people being sent unfeasibly long distances just to get a test, but for this to be still happening at this stage is hugely disappointing.

‘Quick and easy access to testing are cornerstones of an effective test and trace system but once again the Tories seem unable to get the basics right.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘NHS Test and Trace is working, it’s completely free and is stopping the spread of coronavirus.

‘Regional testing slots are allocated based on the nearest testing site with availability and we are working to ensure this takes into account journey times. Anyone with symptoms across the UK should get a test as soon as possible.’

Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news in Portsmouth with our Coronavirus Updates Facebook group.

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