COVID-19 testing sites – changes announced

Published Friday, 14th May 2021

Changes have been announced to COVID-19 testing sites in Hartlepool.

The testing site for people WITH symptoms that is currently located at Grayfields Recreation Ground, off Jesmond Gardens, will cease operating on Monday (May 17th) ahead of its re-location to The Waterfront. It will resume operation at its new location on Thursday May 20th.

The mobile testing station that has been based at The Waterfront in recent months, is moving to the Sandy Car Park (former coach park) at Seaton Carew and will begin operating daily between 9am-3pm from Tuesday May 18th. This is also for people WITH symptoms of COVID-19.

The changes follow the recent opening of a COVID Test and Collect Centre for people WITHOUT symptoms in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, following the closure of a previous testing facility at Mill House Leisure Centre.

The new centre is on the ground-floor of the shopping centre, just along from W H Smith and directly opposite the Vodafone shop. It is open Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) from 9am to 5pm.

If you are aged 18 or over and live or work in Hartlepool, you can use the centre to:

  • Get a free test at the centre

Tests should be booked in advance by clicking HERE or by calling (01429) 523330 during normal office hours. If you are booking a test, you must ensure that you have your own mobile phone which you will need to bring with you to the testing centre as you will receive your test result by text. Due to data protection laws, you can’t use someone else’s phone

  • Collect a free kit to test yourself and your family for COVID at home

You can collect up to 2 packs of 7 tests – no booking is required, just drop in. The staff at the centre will advise you on how to use the testing kit safely and to avoid a false result. They will happily take you through a test to make sure you know how to do it. The tests are not suitable for pre-school and primary school aged schoolchildren and should not be used for these age groups.

In both cases, you will get your result by text within 24 hours, and in most cases within an hour. You will also be given advice on what to do if your test comes back positive.

For more information go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/