Bracknell residents say they are finding it impossible to get a coronavirus test in the borough — despite the "small outbreak" in cases.
A mobile testing centre in Bracknell haS limited bookings available with people snapping up slots leaving none left for residents who have symptoms.
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Yesterday, we published a report on how a woman was given a coronavirus test 79 miles away from Bracknell in Leicester.
The council said they acknowledge the frustrations of residents being given tests "Miles away".
Alexandra Gueguen was asked by Frimley A&E to get a coronavirus test for her son on Sunday but the booking website keeps crashing.
She said: "The NHS website is crashing all the time. Giving us time slots but not sending the QR code by email... this is just so hard to get 1 test!
"I went to the test site in Camberley today, I saw one car being tested only! Another guy before me did the same, went at the time he got but without the QR code as he never received it. This is wasting our time, patience. There is no queue at all.
"We try the Southampton site as this is the only one given now, the website says there is 27 slots available but when clicking on it, the next info is 'sorry no more time slots available' this is ridiculous.
"And finally got someone on the 119 phone after 30 minutes, the only thing she did is using the very same rubbish website and told me sorry there is nothing in your area.... not helping at all."
The mum managed to get a test in the Slough Montem testing site.
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Dozens of other residents contacted The Bracknell News to say they have been unable to book a local test online.
Some even said they were told to travel to Cardiff, Swindon and Leicester after being given the test slot online.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “NHS Test and Trace is working, our capacity is the highest it has ever been and but we are seeing a significant demand for tests.
“New booking slots and home testing kits are made available daily for people with symptoms and we are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, and prioritising at-risk groups.
“Our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week and we recently announced new facilities and technology to process results even faster.
“If you do not have symptoms and are not eligible to get a test you can continue to protect yourself if you wash your hands, wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules.”
The chair of Bracknell Forest Council's local covid-19 engagement board has sent a strong message to residents in regards to getting a test.
Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker said: “We completely understand the frustrations of residents who have symptoms but are unable to access local tests. The testing shortage is a national issue that is impacting us here in Bracknell Forest, with some residents being advised to travel miles for a test.
“If you do not have symptoms please do not apply for a test, this will help to reduce the demand. If you do have symptoms and can’t get one locally, please do try again in a couple of hours as more local slots may have opened up in that time.
“Understandably, some people may wish to be tested ‘just in case’ but if you aren’t symptomatic or haven’t been asked to test by an official organisation like the NHS or council, please do not apply for a test.”
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