Chesterfield MP wants to hear about any problems with town's coronavirus testing centre

Chesterfield residents can now access a coronavirus testing centre in the town 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.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins.Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins.
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins.
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“We'll now be able to access tests at Proact stadium on the national portal.”

Mr Perkins says he is keen to hear from anyone with Covid-19 symptoms who manages to book a test at the Proact and wants to know if any residents still have problems.

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.

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

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.

Chesterfield FC’s company secretary, Ashley Carson, said earlier in the crisis he was ‘only too happy to make the car park available to the NHS as they need all the support they can get at this time’.

"The stadium is easily accessible with plenty of parking spaces so it is an ideal venue for the testing to take place," he added.

Click here to ask for an NHS coronavirus test.

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