Practically impossible to get Covid test, especially if you are disabled

A nurse takes a swab at a Covid-19 Drive-Through testing station (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

I have been researching on how residents in Hastings and Rother can get a coronavirus test, especially people with special needs.

When I tried to get a test on Monday, 28th of September, there were no home testing kits, but the nearest walk-thru testing facility was in Bexhill.

I understand that Bexhill is convenient for most individuals, but I am very concerned about how disabled individuals will get a test.

This will be especially the case if they are unable to travel, or find it hard to go into busy places.

This can be very common with individuals with autism along with special needs.

I am very concerned that individuals with special needs in Hastings and Rother will not get a test, or declare that they have symptoms, due to them being fearful of having to travel to get a test/or being forced to attend a busy clinic to be tested.

Your readers’ maybe unaware that national media have reported deaths of people with learning disabilities in England have increased by 134% during the coronavirus pandemic, this is according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

This was between the 10 of April and 15 May, where there were 386 deaths, half of them confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases.

This was compared 165 in 2019.

Obviously, if a disabled person shows symptoms of having Covid-19, they will be unable to attend education, work or support services.

If they are unable to do this, they will fall behind especially with education.

But if they don’t declare, they could also put others at risk.

I feel that the statistics stated beforehand make it clear that disabled people should be tested, and as a result home testing kits should be made more widely available, and if this can’t be done, disabled individuals should be prioritised for home testing kits.

• Talk is increasing of further lockdowns in the UK. What do you think of the situation? Join the Big Conversation and have your say on everything from healthcare to how the pandemic has affected you personally and how we make our communities stronger: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/bc-eastbourne