MP demands Health Secretary Matt Hancock improves Covid-19 testing as Jarrow residents forced to travel up to 100 miles

The Labour MP has written to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, describing the Government’s testing strategy as an “absolute catastrophe”.

The MP says it comes as many Jarrow constituents who have been displaying symptoms of Covid-19 have been forced to travel miles away from home to get access to a test.

One resident, who had contacted Ms Osborne’s office, had been offered tests in Bishop Auckland, Penrith in Cumbria, Leeds and even Bradford in Yorkshire, a 200-mile-trip away.

Others have reported that there was no option on the website for a home testing kit or that they have waited up to five days for their results, with some coming back as void or being lost all together.

Ms Osborne said: “I have had numerous constituents contact me who have been trying for days upon days to book a test locally and have been denied at every single opportunity.

“After days of trying, they have eventually been offered a test in Bishop Auckland, Kirkby, Penrith, Scarborough, Leeds and even Flamingo Land. The government expect people from my constituency to do a three-hour-round-trip for a test when they are ill with a potentially fatal disease.

“Constituents have been in touch with my team saying they are horrified at the thought of driving a 100-mile trip in such a bad condition to be tested. One constituent said they could easily cause an accident due to not being able to turn their head at the wheel.”

Ms Osborne herself tested positive for coronavirus in March and has now recovered after self-isolating.

In her letter to Mr Hancock she calls on him to urgently improve the testing system, highlighting that the North East has one of the highest infection rates in the UK.

She added: “The Government is failing the people of Jarrow constituency and their testing strategy has been an absolute catastrophe.”

“I have written to the Health Secretary to raise my concerns.”

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