A NEW coronavirus testing centre has been set up in Keighley for frontline staff.

The Marley Fields site will work as a drive-through centre from Monday, April 13 when it will open between 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

Priority for testing is being given to those who work in intensive care, accident and emergency staff, paramedics as well as those working in other health and care settings.

Read more: Seven more coronavirus deaths recorded at Bradford district hospitals

Testing is being done strictly on an appointment only basis and the site will not be open to the general public and car registration technology will be used to manage appointments.

There will also be more local authority areas in the region.

Dr James Thomas, Clinical Chair for NHS Bradford District and Craven clinical commissioning group (CCG) said: “Our local testing centre is an important step in keeping health and care services running as smoothly as possible, whilst also protecting and maintaining the wellbeing of our staff at this challenging time.

“We will test frontline NHS and care staff who are currently unable to work because they have been in contact with someone with symptoms of coronavirus.  The test results will enable those who do not have Coronavirus to return to work more quickly than would otherwise be the case.

“‘Team Bradford’ has been very resourceful in setting up this centre in record time, and I’d like to thank Bradford Council for their very positive response in helping us to set it up.

“I’d also like take this opportunity to express our gratitude to everyone working in health and care, whether in our hospitals, GP practices, care homes or voluntary sector, for their continued hard work during the coronavirus pandemic."

Dr Thomas reminded the public to stay at home and keep up-to-date with the latest coronavirus information at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said car registration technology will be used to manage appointments.

The councillor said: “Having the new coronavirus (Covid-19) testing facility will be an important way in which we can support frontline workers across our whole district who are vital in the fight against the virus. I want to thank everyone who has been involved in getting the site set up. It has been a real team effort.

“Priority for testing is being given to those who work in intensive care, accident and emergency, paramedics as well as those working in other health and care settings. Testing is being done strictly on an appointment only basis.

“The site is not open to the general public and car registration technology will be used to manage appointments. Testing sites are also opening in other local authority areas in the region.”