New 'walk-through' testing centre to be set up in Jarrow or Hebburn to help combat South Tyneside spike

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Concerns have been raised over access to the tests, with reports of some being offered swabs miles outside the area when applying through the NHS Test and Trace service.

Mobile testing units have been operating at various locations in the borough, including at Temple Park and Little Haven.

Now South Tyneside Council have confirmed an additional testing site will be based in either the Jarrow or Hebburn area.

PA picture at a walk-through testing centre in Scotland. A similar facility, which can serve people without cars, is to be set up in South Tyneside: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Council bosses say the move follows approval from the Department of Health and Social Care, with a final location to be revealed.

A council spokesperson said: “This will be a temporary walk-through facility and will help improve access to testing for residents who do not have their own transport or live a long way from the nearest testing site.

“People will be encouraged to pre-book an appointment and will be provided with a test kit to enable them to take their own sample in a private booth on-site.

“The sample will then be collected and couriered to a lab for testing.”

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Deputy council leader, Cllr Tracey Dixon, hinted at the new centre at the council’s Children and Adults Safeguarding Panel earlier this week (September 16).

While hitting back at the “huge issue” around testing at a national level, she stressed work was taking place to create more slots for locals.

“We’re looking to get an additional testing centre within the borough, a more permanent one,” she said.

“Our director of public health and our health team are collectively working really hard to make sure we can get testing done in South Tyneside.

“It’s a nightmare throughout the country and I think it’s absolutely appalling that people are expected to travel 200 miles, sometimes four-hour round trips, to get a test with something that is so crucial to keep our economy, workers, children and adults safe.

“But we’re trying to be very proactive in trying to get this testing element in our borough for our residents.”

Director of public health for the council, Tom Hall, previously said that anyone struggling to get a test in a convenient location should continue checking the NHS website for more screening slots being released.

Enhanced contact tracing is also under way, separate to the NHS Test and Trace service, to identify connections between Covid-19 cases and venues or areas in South Tyneside.

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