Covid-19 Update

Reported on the expansion of testing capacity, the resilience built up in the NHS, including Nightingale hospitals, and acknowledged the need to protect vulnerable groups such as care home residents. He also addressed concerns about PPE shortages, deaths in care homes, and non-covid healthcare needs.

Asked questions regarding fair pay for NHS staff, mental health support, access to personal protective equipment, the impact of inequalities on mortality rates, testing at ports of entry, and resources available for non-covid healthcare needs.

Suggested ways to make home visits safer for NHS staff by using vehicles like black cabs that can be easily cleaned and have a barrier between the driver and clinician.

Discussed the effectiveness of full PPE in protecting healthcare workers from coronavirus, questioned why gowns were not included in stockpiles earlier as advised by scientific groups like NERVTAG.

Acknowledged the success of increasing critical care bed capacity and the fact that some Nightingale hospitals are now not taking more patients, which he sees as a testament to the effectiveness of their approach.

[Inaudible.]

Asked about the plans to ensure that promised PPE deliveries arrive consistently.

Expressed concern over disabled people's access to appropriate and affordable PPE for personal carers. She highlighted issues with inflated prices due to shortages.

Asked about media reports suggesting that elderly individuals would be forced to stay in their homes indefinitely, seeking clarification on the government's policy regarding social distancing rules for different groups.

Inquired about the Government’s plans for immediate and long-term mental health treatment for those affected by the emotional impact of the virus, especially frontline workers who are often reluctant to seek help.

Confirmed that everyone on the frontline will have full support from the Government as Watford volunteers see first-hand the inspirational work done by various roles in fighting against coronavirus.

Raised issues regarding testing availability, prioritisation at local sites, and loss of tests, seeking assurances on when the UK would have sufficient testing capacity to implement a test, trace, and isolate strategy.

Asked for clarity on definitions and entitlements for different vulnerable groups as lockdown measures are considered for easing.

Inquired about the role of public health professionals in community tracing efforts, expressing concern over potential outsourcing to private companies which have not proven effective.

Defends the role of private sector partners in the test, track and trace programme, emphasises the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors. Acknowledges the Mayor of London's need to provide more tube trains for safer public transport. Supports cancer treatments resuming as safely possible when advised by clinicians. Reiterates that the NHS has not been overwhelmed at any point during the crisis. Defends the Government's response, stating they have achieved their priority goal of preventing the NHS from being overtopped. Urges constituents to follow clear guidance on shielding set out on the NHS website. Acknowledges challenges in providing new government guidance for visually impaired individuals and directs them to primary care. Highlights that 80% of Isle of Wight residents are willing to download the NHS app, which is part of a system designed to account for those without smartphones.

Asks if the Mayor of London needs to provide more tube trains to ensure safer public transport in order to get London back to work.

Suggests that the Secretary of State should consider community testing and contact tracing systems being developed by local councils and health boards, which could offer local solutions complementary to any UK-wide infrastructure.

Requests assurance for constituents who are nervous about resuming cancer treatments due to fear of catching coronavirus at the hospital.

Critiques the Government's approach, citing their own measure suggesting that deaths below 20,000 would be a success. Asks how they can claim success when the death toll has surpassed this.

Acknowledges the magnificent response of the British people and asks for confirmation that the NHS was not overwhelmed at any point during the crisis.

Asks about the clarity of Government advice to over-70-year-olds on leaving their homes and inquires if face masks will be advised for public transport use.

Inquires about provisions made for visually impaired individuals during the coronavirus pandemic.

Asks about the estimate of NHS app downloads required to make it effective in keeping people safe, as well as discussions on making it compulsory if not enough people download it.

Welcomes the launch of the test, track and trace app but questions its lower take-up by elderly individuals due to lack of smart phone access.

Asked the Secretary of State if there are plans to publish a report on the effects of covid-19 on people who fall under one or more protected characteristics.

Announced that Public Health England has launched work looking into disparities in the impact of COVID-19. Stated that evidence indicates a lesser impact on children and women compared to men, and highlighted the importance of obesity's role. Emphasised listening to scientists and medics.

Congratulated the Secretary of State for his work and suggested placing a memorial at the National Arboretum in commemoration of essential workers who lost their lives to covid-19.

Inquired about what number of daily cases must be reached for test, track and trace measures to prevent a peak if restrictions are lifted.

Asked the Secretary of State whether changes to lockdown should be announced in Parliament first and requested release of findings from Exercise Cygnus to prove transparency.

Inquired about evidence regarding under-10s being at a lower risk for coronavirus symptoms and transmission, and asked what work is being done to explore this further.

Asked whether the advice given to pregnant women working on frontline health and social care about safety and income was sufficiently clear and consistent.

Acknowledged the Secretary of State's work, including delivering mobile testing in Wycombe, and asked about restoring full-scale elective surgery in NHS for non-covid conditions.

Reported issues with the test website directing residents to off-island testing centres, requesting adjustments to ensure local provision.

Paid tribute to the Royal Surrey County Hospital and its leadership for their innovative approach during the crisis. Requested assurances of continued support and investment in diagnostics.

Asked about improving procurement processes so that companies can supply tests more easily, citing an example with Curative facing roadblocks in UK supply.

Inquired about the feasibility of moving to robust personal protection equipment capable of being decontaminated multiple times for reuse.

Requested suspension of NHS charging regulations for migrants due to disproportionate impact on BME communities during the pandemic, citing advice from medical organisations.

Asked about measures in place to prevent discharges into care homes of patients with suspected or confirmed covid-19 cases to avoid spread.

Emphasised the strengthened rules on discharges from hospitals to care homes, noting a decrease in deaths due to coronavirus in care homes. Announced privacy measures for the tracing app and its role in test-track-and-tracing efforts, encouraging public confidence through transparency and civic duty. Addressed scheduling concerns, cross-border issues with Ireland, and provided updates on PPE procurement and dental practice reopening plans.

Asked about the data protection measures in place for the tracing app to ensure public confidence in its use and security.

Inquired about the proper protocol for government policy announcements, suggesting they should be made first in Parliament before going to the media.

Expressed concerns over potential operational issues arising from different contact tracing systems being used between the UK and Ireland, particularly Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Informed the Secretary of State about a firm in his constituency that could supply significant amounts of PPE if contacted by Government officials.

Raised concerns from dentists who feel their measures are insufficient to protect them, fearing bankruptcy and closure due to the current crisis, highlighting an existential threat to NHS dentistry.

Inquired about steps being taken to move forward with dental practices similar to those taken for hospitals during the crisis.

Expressed concern over reports that the UK is not making substantial progress on reducing infection rates, asking if this data will be considered in decisions about easing lockdown.

Asked for advice on getting staff at a local care home tested without having their own transportation to testing facilities.

Pressed the Health Secretary for evidence behind the decision not to ask people arriving from abroad to self-isolate, expressing concern that this information was not included in recent papers.