South Shields maths lecturer - whose wife has terminal cancer - left 'defeated' by 'major problems' in virus testing
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Bob Hurst-Bennett, 53, whose wife is classed as ‘extremely vulnerable’ and shielding, didn’t want to take any risks when he began to develop symptoms of Covid-19 earlier this month.
Caroline, 45, who he lives with in Marsden, is currently in remission from cancer but after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour, her condition is sadly considered to be terminal.
But despite his attempts to get tested, Bob says the series of hurdles he came up against left him feeling defeated and would end in him giving up completely.
“I had a cough which was getting progressively worse so I thought I had better do something about it,” said Bob
“I’m a pretty healthy person, but I thought I have really got to know for my wife’s sake.
“I experienced major problems at every step.”
The closest mobile testing centre he was offered was more than 40 miles away in Alnwick, Northumberland.
He went ahead and booked a test but was given was no address for the centre.
Bob, a college maths lecturer, says he tried several numbers but no one could tell him where it was, before he was eventually passed onto a helpline for essential workers.
They offered him an appointment at the mobile test station at Sunderland Royal Hospital for the next day.
“I was advised that I would receive results by text within 72 hours, but a week passed and nothing,” continued Bob.
On Thursday, May 14, he called the NHS helpline but was told that because the nurses had ‘failed’ to scan the barcode on the confirmation email - of which there was none - his results has been lost.
He tried to book a new test but the only centre was Alnwick and there were no slots available until the next week.
Bob, who has fully recovered from his symptoms, said: “As it happens my wife is fine but it could have been a very different story.
“We can’t be alone in this and for some people it could have serious implications.”
While others have had their results come back void, or lost all together.
The Department of Health and Social Care say they are issuing thousands of home testing kits every day to increase access.
A spokesperson said: “As we tackle this virus we are determined to make it fast and simple for all eligible people who need a test to get a test.
“In addition to setting up a nationwide network of drive in testing sites, we have also introduced home testing kit delivery and deployed mobile testing units operated by the Armed Forces.
“1.8 million people have now been tested in the UK and the vast majority report no issues with the process, with 95% receiving their results in less than 48 hours.”