A MOBILE coronavirus testing unit could be coming to Buckinghamshire.

Discussions are taking place to set up a new hub where healthcare staff can be tested as many from the area are forced to drive more than two hours to be tested at Gatwick.

READ MORE: Just one rough sleeper in Bucks after big effort to protect homeless from coronavirus

Rachel Shimmin, Buckinghamshire Council’s chief executive, said: “One of the things we are looking at is the potential for a mobile testing unit because for lots of care staff, these aren’t people who are paid huge amounts of money or who have easy access to their own transport.

“We are in [a health area] called BOB [which groups Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire], and [each health area is] allocated a testing unit.

“Ours happens to be Gatwick, which clearly is not terribly helpful.

“The Milton Keynes option would be much more helpful for people living in that part of the county towards the north.

“But I think the mobile testing unit would be really helpful.”

READ MORE: How leaders from across the county have stepped up to 'massive' coronavirus challenge

The chief executive told councillors discussions are taking place with NHS bosses to co-ordinate testing that “shouldn’t be on the basis of artificial health boundaries”.

Councillor Martin Tett added: “Gatwick is a particularly long way for care workers and Milton Keynes is so much nearer.

“It’s really important we have a facility we can actually get our staff to that’s reasonably nearby.”

Labour councillor Robin Stuchburry claimed the testing location was "not sustainable".

He said: "Visiting Gatwick coronavirus testing centre — which would be a two hour trip from some areas of rural Buckinghamshire — isn’t sustainable.

"It is obvious not one solution fits all but to imagine Buckinghamshire doesn’t include Milton Keynes is a mistake of geography and hopefully will be addressed so vulnerable care workers and frontline staff can access the closest centre.

"Failing that the testing should go to the NHS staff who are looking after all us Buckinghamshire residents wellbeing with a mobile service."

This comes as the council steps up its efforts to get personal protective equipment (PPE) to those who need it.

Speaking to councillors during the new authority’s first cabinet meeting, Rachel Shimmin told members a joint store of equipment for healthcare and social care workers was set up early on in the crisis.

The council is in regular contact with care homes to know if they have difficulty accessing PPE.

READ MORE: Big fines for fly-tippers if they're caught dumping rubbish in Bucks

Joint work between schools, businesses and other organisations saw the chief executive deliver gowns and other PPE to Stoke Mandeville hospital last week.

Ms Shimmin said: “We have been working proactively to make sure anybody who needs PPE can get it.”

Councillors also praised the work undertaken to transform part of Stoke Mandeville stadium into a reablement centre with 240 beds.

Social care chief Angle Macpherson said: “Staff have worked incredibly hard to do this in less than three weeks and it’s already helped a number of people to recover from illness and be discharged back home.

“It provides us with a brilliant capacity so we can make sure every vulnerable person is looked after in the safest possible environment.”