A mobile coronavirus testing site will set up in High Wycombe this week. 

Part of the High Wycombe Park and Ride at Handy Cross will be sectioned off from tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5), for up to three days so the testing site can run. 

Anyone who is eligible and wants to be tested at the Handy Cross mobile site must arrange an appointment on the national booking website first (self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk). 

Tests are not available on a ‘drop-in’ basis. 

Only certain categories of people are eligible for testing at this time, like NHS or other essential workers (and some household members), or people over 65 with symptoms. 

People being tested must bring appropriate ID - like an NHS ID card - or a letter/email from their employer to confirm their key worker status.

They should approach the park and ride site as normal, and follow the signs into and out of the testing area, which will be operated by military personnel.

Those not heading to the Handy Cross hub for testing should be aware that part of the car park will be partially closed. 

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “Testing is key to battling coronavirus, so it is welcome news to have this mobile site operating from High Wycombe for a few days.

"We would urge anyone who thinks they should be tested to book a slot. We apologise for any inconvenience the partial closure of this site as a car park may cause, but I’m sure people will appreciate how important the testing service is at this time.”

Dr Raj Bajwa, GP and Chair of NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, added: “Testing is essential to help keep NHS services running smoothly during this outbreak, and to help vulnerable people stay as safe as possible from coronavirus infection.

"These mobile sites will offer a great boost to our testing capabilities in Buckinghamshire, so we hope they will be well-used by those that need them.”

Tests are being offered to the following categories of people, and, in some cases, members of their household.

They are not available for other members of the general public at this time:

  • All those working on the frontline in health and social care (with or without symptoms)
  • Patients in the NHS and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms)
  • All essential workers with symptoms
  • Anyone over 65 with symptoms
  • Anyone who goes into work because they cannot work from home (e.g. construction workers) and has symptoms
  • Anyone who has symptoms and lives with someone who meets any of the above criteria

You can find more details about eligibility for testing here.