Chesterfield 'finally' gets its own coronavirus testing centre from Monday

Chesterfield residents will be able to access a coronavirus testing centre in the town from Monday after a campaign by MP Toby Perkins.
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A testing site has been based in the car park at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium for some weeks – but it was only for key workers and Mr Perkins said hundreds of his constituents were having to travel up to 40 miles to find out if they have Covid-19.

Mr Perkins said: “At last! I've finally managed to persuade nhs.uk that Chesterfield people must be able to access Covid-19 testing here.

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“As of Monday, June 22, we'll be able to access tests at Proact stadium on the national portal.”

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has welcomed news people can be tested for Covid-19 in the town.Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has welcomed news people can be tested for Covid-19 in the town.
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has welcomed news people can be tested for Covid-19 in the town.

The Labour MP had previously argued in Parliament that the Chesterfield case was ‘a local example of a national failure’ on testing.

He told the House of Commons early in June: “The people of Chesterfield were incredibly happy when Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group set up a coronavirus testing unit in the car park of the Proact Stadium – but weeks after it was set up the vast majority of people are unable to get a test there because it is only for key workers.

“This means that Chesterfield residents have to travel up to 30 or 40 miles to get a test.”

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Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the House of Commons, admitted Mr Perkins made an ‘important point’ and said he would ‘pass on’ the comments he made.

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