Calls for more Covid testing centres ahead of opening of Sunderland's first walk-in facility

The walk-in facility is expected to open in Johnson Street, near the university’s city centre campus, next week, offering a lifeline to vulnerable families struggling to access screening services.

But concerns have been raised about availability for other communities, as well as the impact on those living nearby.

“We hope that provision can also be made on the North side for people there who don’t have a car or can’t use public transport,” said Laura Murrell, secretary of the Sunderland branch of the Keep Our NHS Public campaign.

“Testing must be local and easily accessible, and results obtained quickly and shared with those who need to know.

“It is not good enough that people from Sunderland have been told to go to Scotland for a test.”

Sunderland City Council’s director of public health, Gillian Gibson revealed plans for the walk-in testing centre this week.

She added sites were being considered in the north of the city for another facility, but a suitable location was yet to be approved.

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Niall Hodson raised some concerns about the possible impact on traffic around the site and on families living near the new test centre, but was otherwise positive about the plans.

“We need as many testing centres as possible,” said

“The problem we’ve had is people being sent miles away for tests, but it seems the government is now giving a bit more leeway to councils on where test centres go.

“Sunderland needs several test centres, for the north and south of the city and in Washington and the Coalfield.”

Geoff Walker, the city council’s cabinet member for Healthy City, said: “Johnson Street is within fairly good walking distance of the city centre and accessible by public transport and I think it is to be welcomed.

“The location is to try and cater for people to be able to access is in different ways, but if there’s also suggestions for other locations I’m more than happy to listen to them.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.