Covid-19 Response

Provided an update on the UK's response to coronavirus, emphasising the resilience of the NHS, increased capacity in critical care beds and Nightingale hospitals, supply of equipment such as ventilators and personal protective equipment, testing capacities including Lighthouse Labs, contact tracing efforts with a new app, vaccine development funding, social distancing measures based on five tests, and shielding for vulnerable individuals.

Responded to questions raised by Jon Ashworth regarding social care staff deaths, international comparisons of death rates, SAGE advice on isolation rules, expanding clinical understanding, disproportionate number of minority ethnic background and gender in mortality figures, recording of deaths in care homes, testing for care home staff, PPE supplies, spare capacity in NHS, reopening of the NHS, contact tracing and app availability.

Stated that testing and tracing capacity was being ramped up for use when the incidence of transmission decreases. Emphasised the goal is to test and trace all necessary individuals.

Asked about care workers' pay, testing capacity, accuracy, and cuts in public health funding since 2015. Also questioned the handling of asymptomatic spread cases by the Secretary of State.

Asked if SAGE had advised on the target for daily tests, suggesting a need for informed decision-making based on scientific advice.

Praised healthcare workers and others for their efforts during the crisis but questioned the Government's handling of testing since January. Called for a rapid increase in testing capacity.

Asked about the provision of new testing sites in north Wales and the UK government’s role, noting the context of devolution.

Inquired if masks would be recommended based on scientific advice and whether they would be provided free to the public. Asked about sourcing them amid supply issues.

Asked for support for healthcare staff returning to work as soon as possible in areas with reduced demand or where work cannot proceed due to virus prevalence.

Suggested testing all patients and healthcare workers, symptomatic or not, given the potential for hospital and care home transmission hotspots after a month of lockdown.

Asked about indemnifying or waiving liability for care homes accepting emergency admissions to ensure appropriate patient assessments.

Welcomed the Secretary of State's work with digital ethics experts but suggested a more decentralised approach involving local environmental health officers and PHE’s regional teams for contact tracing.

Agrees with the importance of people and technology in contact tracing, highlights the need for ethicists to address privacy concerns. Emphasises the necessity of balancing national and local resource organisation in testing efforts.

Questions the Secretary of State about the current incidence level of Covid-19 and when based on current modelling, test track and trace strategy might be effective enough to ease social distancing measures.

Explains that the exact current incidence is not known until testing expands further but stresses it's higher than needed. Asserts a reduction in new cases will allow lifting of social distancing measures, noting this depends on how quickly the curve decreases.

Critiques the management and leadership of the crisis, stating it has been shambolic compared to other European countries. Expresses anger over the treatment of whistleblowers and doubts the Secretary of State's truthfulness.

Defends his actions as aligning with national goals, denies that whistleblowers have been threatened or silenced. Acknowledges challenges but maintains confidence in meeting objectives set at the start of the crisis.

Compliments the Secretary of State for his efforts and asks about plans to restart non-covid-19 treatment, particularly elective surgery, ensuring hospitals are segregated to prevent cross-infection.

Reaffirms commitment to restarting NHS services as safely possible. Emphasises the importance of patient confidence in seeking treatment and assures ongoing safety measures for hospital admissions.

Raises concerns about patients' interrupted cancer treatments despite assurances from the Secretary of State, requests guarantees on treatment continuation and staff testing to ensure covid-free hospitals. Asks for death in service benefits for healthcare workers who died of Covid-19.

Clarifies that some cancer treatments are temporarily halted due to risk factors under the current conditions, reiterates the encouragement for patients to come forward and assures ongoing support for safe treatment.

Questions about supporting mental health of frontline workers during and after the pandemic crisis.

Acknowledges the importance of supporting frontline worker's mental health, highlights ongoing provision of a helpline for NHS staff support beyond the crisis.

Welcomes preparations at Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow and questions about discussions with Scottish Government regarding operating models. Asks about addressing long-term nursing shortages post-Brexit.

Acknowledges the work done to prepare NHS Louisa Jordan, dismisses reports of Brexit impact on the current coronavirus response and highlights recruitment success since the crisis started.

Suggests adopting Chinese quarantine measures for successful virus control as we ease social distancing restrictions to mitigate potential second wave risks.

Acknowledges consideration of all options including self-isolation recommendations but stresses on the test, track and trace approach currently adopted.

Questions whether allowing Atlético Madrid fans to travel to Anfield for Champions League games in March was a mistake given Liverpool's higher than average incidence of COVID-19 now. Requests investigation into any possible links.

Emphasised the importance of scientific advice and ensuring that people receive necessary treatments, especially in Liverpool and across the north-west. Mentioned the need to control the curve.

Thanked everyone for their commitment and ingenuity during the hybrid scrutiny proceedings. Announced a new protocol for handling points of order, requiring Members to give notice before the start of sitting. Stated that he will make a statement at the conclusion of scrutiny proceedings regarding any genuine point of order raised.