Knowlsey Covid-19 Testing Overview Report
Download (PDF 2.06 MB)Summary of report content
Between 9th September – 22nd September 2020, Healthwatch Knowsley received 81 calls or emails from community members experiencing difficulty whilst trying to access testing for Covid-19 symptoms.
The report found there was an increase in testing need for children and young people, since they have returned to school. People experienced difficulties booking online slots at a centre they could easily access. People have reported having real difficulties with the gov.uk website pages which have continued to state that there is no testing availability when people are trying to access a booking. No advice is then given as to what can be done next to secure a test centre booking. There have been reports that home testing kits have arrived without the relevant barcodes or addresses to return the completed test and therefore could not be completed. A concerning theme was with people who could not access tests but were also unable to access clinical advice for the symptoms they were trying to manage. Many callers contacted Healthwatch Knowsley and asked how they access the local test centres in Huyton/Kirkby because they had been offered slots outside of the area.
No recommendations were made in this report.