Creekmoor coronavirus testing site frustration mounts

Issues reported to the Daily Echo include confusion over QR codes, reports of hundreds of cars being turned away, an inability to access the government booking website and – when online access is gained – being told there are no test sites found, or advised to travel to a test site hours away.

Some Dorset residents are even being advised to travel to Scotland and Wales to get tested – while the Creekmoor test site is practically empty.

• 'We need four or five testing sites in the area, not just one'

Concerned mum Amy Langlois said she finally managed to get a Creekmoor testing slot on Saturday for her two-year-old son, on advice of her GP, but was left shaken after her trip.

"I got to the testing site at around 7.08pm and showed them the screenshot. Was told by a young lad he needed the QR code or confirmation email.

"I told him that was all I had.

"He spoke to a colleague and came back to say his manager said no QR code or email then no testing.

"I explained to him I have tried going online over 100 times in the last couple days to get to the stage I did with the screenshot and surely that means something is wrong with their system."

• Booking system for Poole testing centre 'turned off' when 'laboratories reach capacity'

Mrs Langlois said she was then told to leave, and that staff shouted at her to move on.

"It frustrates me that I can’t get my son tested even though there was around 30 staff at the site doing nothing. Tax payers money going to waste. If the labs are busy and that’s why we can’t book online, surely don’t employ so many people at testing sites.

"My husband is a key worker and has worked everyday during this pandemic, I’m trying to do the right thing by getting my son tested and get to the booking stage on gov.uk as per screenshot and get told to go home in an angry manner."

Another resident, David Small, told the Echo he'd been trying for days to get a test for his six-year-old granddaughter and finally secured one at Weymouth, complete with QR code.

However, when he went to Creekmoor to ask if she could be tested there, he says he was told she couldn't be tested unless the code was specifically for their site.

Mr Small, speaking about his experience on Friday, said: "The guy also said that of the first 280 cars that came to Creekmoor today they turned 240 away."

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BCP Council member Judy Butt, who represents the Creekmoor ward, contacted the Echo to say a friend of her has been advised to travel to Wales.

Councillor Judy Butt

Cllr Butt said: "I am angry that people are being let down and the site not better used. We are in for a steady increase if figures are to be believed and the response is 'we can't help' but testing stations are under used, it is so unnecessary, lives are at risk."

The councillor also travelled to the test site, as it is in her ward, and in 40 minutes just two cars went in.

"This is so upsetting," she said. "There is no effective policy in place to ensure this site is used properly."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "NHS Test and Trace is working, our capacity is the highest it has ever been and our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week.

“We are seeing a significant demand for tests but if you have symptoms we urge you to get tested.

"New booking slots and homes testing kits are made available daily and you can help protect yourself if you wash your hands, cover your face and make space.

“We are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, as well as prioritising at-risk groups and we recently announced new laboratory facilities and new technology to process results even faster.”