Coronavirus concern which caused ‘lockdown’ at Peterborough’s walk-in centre ‘caused by routine NHS appointment’

The pregnant woman attended the Urgent Treatment Centre in Thorpe Road at around 6pm last night having been given an appointment by NHS 111 as she was suffering from migraines, a sore throat and feeling ‘off balance’, according to her friend Tanya Bristowe speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph.

This was despite the patient, who also has Multiple Sclerosis and was not reporting any coronavirus symptoms, reportedly telling the NHS a work colleague had recently been to Italy.

RELATED: NHS chief says Peterborough prepared for potential coronavirus outbreak as rumours of walk-in centre ‘lockdown’ spread

But when the pair arrived for the appointment staff told patients to clear the waiting area and head into a separate space before isolating Tanya and her friend in another room for hours.

Tanya said they were eventually let out at around 9.45pm when doctors said they were free to go.

Police were also called after the pair threatened to leave before being given permission.

She contacted the PT to try to clarify the situation following a viral social media post last night from a man who said the walk-in centre had been put into lockdown.

The post was shared hundreds of times and sparked numerous messages to the PT from worried residents.

The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted the Government, NHS England, Public Health England, the local clinical commissioning group and Peterborough City Council’s public health team last night and this morning for an official response but so far none has been received.

The PT has received several messages this morning stating that the ‘lockdown’ did occur.

Tanya, whose friend does not wish to be named, said: “My friend rang up 111 and they said go to the walk-in centre to get checked out. They knew her colleague had been to Italy.

“We got there and they put the place in lockdown and told everyone in the waiting area to move into the atrium.

“They said we should not have been sent here and that because she had been around someone who had been to Italy we must stay in now.

“They put us in a room and said we couldn’t leave. We said we were going at this time so they called the police to detain us.

“My friend said she needed the toilet but she was told she could not leave the room. They then said if she puts a mask on she could be escorted to the toilet.

“They phoned Public Health England and took down details. They then said they could not find any info on the guy who has been to Italy so we were free to go.

“This was at 9.45pm and we had been there since 6pm. My friend didn’t get treatment and is now back on the phone with 111.

“The response we received was well over the top. They would not offer her water.”

Police confirmed they were called to the walk-in centre last night.

Roman Herak was also at the centre at around 6.30pm yesterday.

He told the PT: “They gave us a mask as apparently two people had walked in with suspicions of coronavirus. The walk-in centre went into lockdown, but we were later let out.

“We didn’t know what was happening.”