A Nottingham Trent University student who was one of many whose coronavirus tests scheduled for next week were cancelled, says the system was “a little bit of a shambles”.
An email sent to several students said that tests booked for the 9.30 am slot on Monday, November 30, had been cancelled due to “technical difficulties”.
Tests were made available to students to book online on Tuesday (November 24) in order to facilitate their safe return this Christmas.
But the online booking system failed to go without any problems as slots remained available despite being overbooked.
First-year criminology student Brandan Waters, who tested positive with the virus around six weeks ago, said the faux pas almost cost him and his girlfriend over £50 in train tickets.
He said: “My girlfriend and I are in the same bubble so booked trains home to Bristol together for after our final test.
“It was due to be three days after the first test, on the same day of the second test, and tickets cost us around £60 in total – £30 each.
“So it was a bit worrying when we saw they [our tests] were cancelled as we’d already booked non-refundable train tickets after leaving the three days apart as advised.
“Luckily we managed to book another test but it’s on Tuesday, so now it’s only two days apart.”
The 20-year-old added: “[It was] a little bit of a shambles, but I’m glad the uni has stepped in to offer tests so we can go home in peace.
“I think testing twice helps confirm the result because, in a worst case scenario, if I test negative and that proves to be a false negative then I could go home and infect my family.
“That’s a lot worse than having to stay here a few extra days and get tested twice – same for a false positive.
“You can’t be too cautious with a virus like Covid-19.
“I have doubts students will actually apply for tests and just end up going home without being tested.”
After several students had their tests cancelled, a later email stated that a technical difficulty was the cause of the issue.
“Unfortunately the session you have booked for your Lateral Flow Testing on Monday 30 November 2020 is full, apologies this wasn’t picked up at the time of booking, this was due to technical difficulties which we have now fixed,” an email seen by Platform said.
Another first-year student, who wished not to be named, said the email was “confusing” as the 9.30 am slot that day remained available at first glance.
Platform logged onto the system at 10.50 am to validate this claim and were able to successfully book a test for 9.30 am on November 30.
By 11 am, however, all slots for November 30 had been filled.
It is not yet known how widespread the issue has been and whether any other days were over-subscribed.
NTU has been approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
By Matt Lee
Lead Image: Olimpia Zagnat