Preston Council chief hits back at Matt Hancock after Government blames asymptomatic testing policy for delays

This morning (September 8), health secretary Matt Hancock was asked why people with symptoms had struggled to access testing in recent days.

It comes as many of those who are keen to get tested have encountered error messages on the government website, telling them the "system is currently unavailable".

He responded by blaming those without symptoms who have had themselves tested, saying these people now account for 25% of all tests.

He said this had led to an increasing demand for testing and is the main reason why people with symptoms were unable to book a test.

He said: "We have seen an increase in demand including from people who are not eligible for tests, people who don't have symptoms.

"You are eligible for a test if you have symptoms of coronavirus or if you have a very specific reason otherwise.

"We have seen an increase, and about 25% of people who are coming forward don't have symptoms and aren't eligible."

He went on to say that UK laboratories processing the tests have reached a "critical pinch-point" and it could take weeks for the problem to be fixed. He said this has led to a substantial backlog, with some people waiting up to a week to receive their test results and others unable to book a test in their local area at all.

But in Preston, the city council has called for everyone without symptoms to get tested after the city was forced to return to partial lockdown in August following a spike in coronavirus cases.

Preston City Council's deputy leader, Peter Moss, has hit back at the health secretary, saying the city remains committed to its approach of testing those without symptoms.

Coun Moss countered Matt Hancock by saying the Government needs to increase the capacity at the labs to accommodate the growing number of test results, instead of blaming people for getting tested.

"There will be no change to our approach, none whatsoever," said Coun Moss.

"In Preston, it remains crucial that we can demonstrate a low percentage of positive tests. And the best way to do this is for people without symptoms to get tested.

"The more negative tests we have, the better we can form an accurate assessment of the spread of the virus in Preston.

"That's why we're saying people should get tested, even if they do not have symptoms, as they might be asymptomatic and unaware that they are spreading it."

In August, Coun Moss volunteered to be tested at Issa Medical Centre - a special site set up by the Council for those without symptoms to get tested.

He said he wanted to “lead by example” in getting tested even though he had no symptoms.

The city council chief said Matt Hancock is playing a blame game which is not helpful to Preston, as the city continues to struggle to bring its number of cases down.

He added: "I think the problem with what the health secretary is saying is that he is not aware of the current situation on the ground in Preston, and other places.

"He's looking at the national picture and I think he's referring to the problems facing the NHS testing labs, not our council-run ones at Issa Medical Centre and at the Markets.

"I don't know why he's saying those without symptoms are not eligible for tests. I'd like to make it clear that at our mobile testing centres, anyone can visit, whether they have symptoms or not."

However, it is believed that the test results from the Council-run testing centres are processed at the same labs as the Government testing centres and are contributing to the overwhelming national demand.

But Coun Moss said the Government should be working towards increasing the processing capacity at its labs, instead of making those seeking tests feel responsible for the testing crisis.

"Instead of blaming people getting tested, the Government needs to be increasing the testing capacity to help combat this ongoing surge," he said.

But the deputy Council leader said he understands the frustration of people struggling to book tests and those waiting for delayed test results to come back.

He admitted that the Council might not always "get it right".

He said: "We appreciate that these are difficult times for everybody, but I'd like to appeal to everyone to adhere to the rules and advice so we can beat this thing. We all have to work together.

"Look, will we get it right all the time? Maybe not. But I can assure you that we are doing all we can during these difficult times.

"I think Dr Sakhti (Lancashire's director of public health) said it best. He said that "no one can be safer until everyone of us is safer and nowhere can be safer until everywhere is safer".

"To me, I think that sums up the situation perfectly."

Preston City Council has been approached for comment.

Where can you get tested?

Preston City Council is encouraging those without symptoms to attend its two 'walk-in' testing sites at Issa Medical Centre in St Gregory Road, Deepdale and Preston Markets.

These Council-run testing centres are in addition to the NHS drive-through testing site on a cordoned-off section of the Park and Ride near the Capitol Centre in Walton-le-Dale. This has replaced the testing centre at Preston’s College in Fulwood which was closed as students returned to study.