Council Council has said that "urgent changes" are needed in the Covid-19 testing system - and it needs your experiences to help lobby the government.

It wants to hear from residents about any difficulties they've had with the test booking system, how far they’ve had to travel for tests, and how quickly they’ve received results.

The information people provide will be used to make recommendations to government about "urgent changes that need to be made to the programme," the council said, so that it’s easier for anyone who needs a test to access one.

It is after an increasing number of stories of people having to travel long distances to get a test or waiting more than week for results.

People can get in touch with the council by direct message on its Facebook page at facebook.com/forCornwall or via email at phdesk@cornwall.gov.uk

Sally Hawken, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for children, wellbeing and public health, said: “Quick and easily available testing is an absolutely vital weapon in our fight against Covid-19, but there have been some well-documented issues with the government’s testing programme and I’m deeply concerned that not everyone who needs a test can access one.

“We’ve heard cases of people being asked to travel miles out of Cornwall for a test, or having to wait more than a week for the results – neither of which is remotely acceptable.

“It’s clear to me that if we’re to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Cornwall, we need an efficient, easily accessible testing system. At the moment I’m not convinced we have that.

“That’s why we’d like to hear from anyone who has struggled with the testing system about their experiences. If we understand what the problems are here in Cornwall we can put the case to government that urgent changes need to be made.”

Rachel Wigglesworth, Cornwall Council’s director of public health, said: “If we’re to keep Covid cases low in Cornwall it’s important that we have an efficient and easily available testing programme in place for our residents to use if they need to.

“By understanding where the problems with the current system are, we can work together with our colleagues in the NHS and with government to make the changes that the current system needs in order to better serve our residents.”

You can find more information about testing, including how and where to get a test, on Cornwall Council’s website.

  • If you've had a particularly bad experience about accessing a test in Cornwall and would like us to share your story also then email editorial@packetseries.co.uk