Accessing testing appointments is 'just not good enough' says council leader
A Westcountry council leader says they've repeatedly highlighted problems getting appointments at local testing centres.
North Somerset leader councillor Don Davies has now written to the health secretary, after spending three weeks highlighting concerns through internal channels.
He says the area has three testing centres but some locals have been unable to get appointments there.
Earlier today we told you people in Bath - where's there's two testing sites - have been sent to Cardiff for appointments.
Cllr Davies said: "It’s just not good enough. We are working hard locally with the community to identify and stop outbreaks before they can spread.
"But being able to access tests is key to this, and time after time people are struggling to get tested and are often being sent hundreds of miles away.
"We have three testing centres in North Somerset, so there is seemingly no shortage of testing capacity and yet people can't access the provision.
"These individuals are trying to do the right thing by seeking a test but have limited means to do so. This needs to be resolved urgently.
"This issue of local testing has also been raised by the council over the last three weeks through a number of regional and national forums."