What about us? South Ribble families left with nowhere to turn after Preston testing sites turn them away

South Ribble Borough Council does not currently provide any test centres for its residents, despite a resurgence in cases in recent weeks.

More than 110,000 people call South Ribble home, but the borough's families say they are being overlooked during the ongoing pandemic.

Preston has two testing sites administered by Lancashire County Council, but both of these are now exclusively for the city's residents.

The city council said it had no option but to deny tests to those who live outside the city, as it continues to struggle to meet increased demand on its own patch.

Yesterday, 624 people were tested at the two sites - at Moor Park and Preston Markets - with the centres having to close early after reaching capacity shortly after 2pm.

What did South Ribble Borough Council say?

South Ribble Borough Council continues to encourage people to get tested to help stop the spread of the virus, but has come under fire for not providing a local testing site.

Today, Coun Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Borough Council, has assured residents that the Council is "doing all we can" to increase the borough's testing capacity.

But he conceded that the location of testing centres is a decision out of the Council's control.

He said: "We know there are significant pressures on the national system which has led to huge demand on local testing sites.

"It is a challenging situation and we’re urging Government to do what they can to support local areas to increase capacity.

"The fact of the matter is, where test centres are located and the quantity of them in individual areas is a decision out of our control.

"Community test centres, such as the ones seen in Preston, have been set up because those particular areas have been placed under further restrictions, something that South Ribble has not yet been subject to.

"To our residents – we’re doing all we can to work with the organisations in charge to increase our testing capacity.

"In the mean time we ask that you keep trying to book a test if you have symptoms and to remember that if you don’t have symptoms, a test will not be needed.

"Please do not try to get a test at one of the Preston community testing centres, as you will be turned away.

"If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, please isolate for 14 days and only if you get symptoms, seek a test.

"We very much hope more testing capacity will be available in the borough soon."

What did Preston City Council say?

Councillor Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council said: "The national situation surrounding testing is clearly having an impact on our community testing sites and has resulted in the need to prioritise Preston residents, due to our current infection rates and local restrictions.

"Over the last week or so we have seen a significant rise in demand at the two community testing sites based in Preston, with record numbers of attendance yesterday of 624 tests conducted.

"While hosted by Preston City Council, these sites are administered by the Director of Public Health at Lancashire County Council, whose advice and lead we have followed throughout the pandemic.

"We are in regular dialogue about the management, promotion and location of these sites and are working together to deliver the best outcome we are able in the current circumstances."

So where do residents in South Ribble go to get tested?

Families in the borough say they are becoming increasingly frustrated and concerned as they are unable to arrange a test for themselves and their children.

The Government-run testing site at the Capitol Centre in Walton-le-Dale is open to South Ribble residents on an appointment basis, but it has failed to meet demand.

Many of those who are trying to book tests online say they are being told to visit alternative testing centres outside of Lancashire, with one desperate Leyland family offered an appointment as far away as Leicester - a 250-mile round trip.

But others say they did manage to secure tests at centres in Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley and Bolton, via the Government website, after repeated attempts.

What do families in South Ribble think?

One mum in Leyland, who asked not to be named, said she had to drive to Burnley after being turned away in Preston.

She said: "I was turned away from the Preston site yesterday, saying that it’s just for Preston council residents.

"I was told there is currently no such provision in South Ribble. In the end, myself and my daughter got tested over in Burnley at a council test facility opposite the bus station.

"A long way to drive, I know, but the NHS 119 service is a joke, so we were left with no option. We queued for 2 hours!

"They tested us yesterday and the nurse didn’t seem to mind that we were from Leyland. But whether people can get tested today, I wouldn’t know and I wouldn’t want anyone to drive over to Burnley purely on my say-so.

"A work colleague told me about the Burnley site and I was desperate to get a test as I’m now off work with a cough and causing hassle for people I work with. And my daughter had a temperature over the weekend, so can’t go to school until she gets a negative.

"So I just got in the car and went to Burnley and took the gamble."

Another frustrated parent, Lisa Smith, said: "It's bloody madness considering how many kids are being sent home and told to either isolate or get tested and they can't because there's no sites available anywhere. It's a bloody farce."

The demand for coronavirus tests in South Ribble has soared since children returned to school last week. The lack of testing in South Ribble has made it difficult for parents who have children with symptoms, as schools won't allow pupils to return to class without a negative test result.

In Leyland, St Mary's Catholic High School, Leyland Methodist Infant and Junior Schools and Runshaw College have sent students home due to confirmed cases of COVID-19.

And at Hutton Grammar, students in Years 9, 10 and 11 were sent home yesterday (Monday, September 14) after three pupils tested positive.

If you have concerns about coronavirus in South Ribble, the council asks that you contact them via [email protected]