High Peak MP Robert Largan has directly urged the Health Secretary to rapidly ramp up testing in High Peak as cases continue to rise in the region and across the country.

During the Health Secretary’s Covid-19 statement, Robert Largan MP asked:

“Earlier this month, Tameside and Glossop CCG was reporting the highest Covid death rates of anywhere in the country. Can I put on record my thanks to Ministers, Public Health England, and NHS staff who are working very hard to try and tackle this worrying situation? But it is very concerning that my constituents are still being asked to travel, sometimes over 150 miles away, to get a test. Can the Secretary of State reassure me that the Government is doing everything it can to ramp up testing and laboratory capacity as a matter of urgency.”

In an open letter to the Health Secretary (14 September), Robert Largan MP called on the Government to clear the backlog in the labs, fix any technical issues with the online testing system, and set up more testing sites in High Peak.

Robert Largan MP commented:

“A number of High Peak residents have contacted me over the last few days, struggling to get a Covid-19 test. The situation needs resolving urgently. That is why I wrote to the Health Secretary, calling for action.

“Testing is a crucial part of the national effort to control the virus. I know that many people in High Peak are doing their bit and following the rules. It is now time for the Government to get on and rapidly ramp up testing capacity.”
 

Photo taken before social distancing