Covid-19 Response

Ashworth questioned the delay in updating case definitions regarding anosmia. He criticised the government's handling of care homes, citing a lack of early lockdown measures and insufficient testing. He urged for earlier full testing of all residents and staff in care homes, improved support for migrant care workers, updates on antibody tests and screening healthcare workers, quicker test result turnaround times, better use of local public health services, provision of isolation facilities for poorer individuals, clear statements on R number impacts during easing restrictions, and additional investment in mental health services.

Asked for three pieces of data: level of new daily infections before full contact tracing begins, daily test numbers required by testing system, and weekly tests capacity for NHS/care-home frontline staff.

Inquired about the availability of dental treatment beyond urgent cases provided through regional hubs.

Welcomed the eligibility for testing being widened but questioned the timing and effectiveness of the system, highlighted issues with test result turnaround times, and inquired about data protection measures in contact tracing.

Asked about governance of data collection and handling during contact tracing to ensure public confidence in the system.

Inquired about the rollout schedule for antibody tests and proposed a lasting care funding solution to prevent people from selling their homes for long-term care costs.

A recent survey by Unison North West found that eight out of 10 care workers would not receive full pay if they were ill, self-isolating or shielding because of covid-19. Will the Government provide increased funding and direction to ensure that all care workers receive full pay when absent due to covid-19?

That is an incredibly important question, and one of the purposes of the £600 million extra that we are putting into the social care system and that will go direct to the frontline—local authorities are not allowed to use it for other purposes—is to ensure that when social care staff need to be away from work for infection control purposes, they are not penalised for doing so.

I join my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) and my right hon. Friend in welcoming approval of an antibody test for use in the UK. Can he tell us whether he is preparing for individuals to be able to input the results of an antibody test into the NHS covid app to help demonstrate their immunity and improve our understanding of the prevalence of this wretched virus?

Two weeks ago, 1.8 million people in this country who are currently shielding were told that they would have to shield for an extra two weeks until 30 June. Can the Secretary of State confirm what protection there will be for them and their families?

Lincolnshire is fortunate to have good supplies of PPE, a relatively low infection rate and excellent capacity in our hospitals at this time. Will the Secretary of State join me in thanking our NHS staff across Lincolnshire?

The Office for National Statistics has reported that covid-19 mortality rates in the most deprived areas of England are twice those in the least deprived. Once again, this virus has reminded us of the extreme health and social inequalities in our society; although it can affect anyone, from any background, those from the poorest communities have the highest risk of severe illness and death.

As my right hon. Friend has said, due to the hard work of the entire health and social care system we can now look beyond this crisis. As we do that, may I ask him to say more today, and in the coming days, about how we intend to balance the need to address a substantial backlog of more routine and elective work?

My constituent Rebecca’s mother tragically died from coronavirus while working as a nurse in a Rotherham care home. The care home did not have access to the personal protective equipment she needed to keep safe.

Care homes in Ashfield such as Wren Hall, with an outstanding rating, and Sutton Manor, which is in the top 20 care homes in the east midlands, face a difficult future. With empty beds due to covid-19 comes a dramatic loss of income.

Yesterday, the British Government announced in their daily briefing that they hope to have 30 million vaccines ready for use by September, yet on the same day, the Prime Minister wrote in The Mail on Sunday that there may never be a vaccine. Considering the way that Wales has been undermined by the British Government over the distribution of PPE and testing, what confidence can the people of Wales have that we will have our fair share of vaccines if one is developed?

Acknowledged the efforts made in Wales regarding PPE and testing, emphasised the agreement with AstraZeneca for the Oxford vaccine, highlighting the potential availability of 100 million doses for UK citizens starting from 30 million initially for vulnerable populations. Praised the work of scientists and industry.

Asked if Matthew Hancock could confirm that the actions taken by the Government have prevented the NHS from being overwhelmed during the crisis, ensuring people received high-quality care when needed.

Confirmed that despite early concerns, the NHS was not overwhelmed thanks to public compliance and expansion efforts. Every person with coronavirus could access treatment.

Critiqued the Secretary of State's description of a 'protective ring' around social care, highlighting inadequate PPE and testing supplies. Demanded weekly testing for staff and residents in care homes.

Acknowledged funding support to adult social care but noted ongoing challenges. Emphasised that testing had been carried out throughout care homes and stressed the need to work closely with the sector.

Praised local initiatives for supporting PPE delivery and asked Hancock if local groups like Makers 4 the NHS would be included in new guidelines regarding PPE production.

Agreed to meet Joy Morrissey via video conferencing to discuss support for local businesses and volunteers involved in PPE delivery. Praised the Daily Mail's campaign for raising funds from China.

Challenged Hancock over previous policy failures during the crisis, questioning whether the government could handle rising R rates in Yorkshire and northeast England after relaxing lockdown rules.

Responded by stating that while there have been challenges, hospitalisations were significantly down and critical care admissions had dropped by two thirds. He encouraged continued support for NHS staff.

Complimented Hancock on facing unprecedented challenges as Health Secretary, thanking Southend University Hospital staff for their efforts during the crisis. Asked about vaccine delivery plans.

Confirmed vaccine delivery plans contingent on scientific success, highlighting agreement with AstraZeneca for 100 million doses including initial 30 million for vulnerable populations. Praised Southend University Hospital staff.

Compared UK government's outsourcing approach to Scotland's public health system expansion, questioning the Secretary of State about limiting profits for private sector companies involved in test, trace and isolate.

Defended collaboration between public and private sectors during the crisis, arguing it ended any notion that only public sector could deliver essential services.

Asked about vaccine safety regarding preventable diseases like measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), expressing concern over missed vaccinations during the pandemic. Asked for reassurance on the importance of scheduled vaccinations.

Reiterated the importance of continuing scheduled vaccination programmes and warned against anti-vaxxer messages. Encouraged everyone to get flu jabs this autumn as part of efforts to prevent further disease spread.

Raised concerns about long wait times for coronavirus test results, questioning if reagents were sufficient in acute settings to perform all tests within 24 hours.

Responded that while an average time shorter than 96 hours was typical, efforts continue to reduce waiting times. Offered to provide exact figures for test centre performance.

Asked Hancock about providing specific support to care homes facing financial difficulties due to high vacancy rates.

Acknowledged ongoing work on the issue but could not make an announcement at that time, recognising the challenges faced by social care.

Highlighted high daily new case and death rates compared to other countries. Criticised the rush to ease restrictions before test, track, and trace systems were fully operational, raising public anxiety about plans to reopen schools.

The MP thanked the Secretary of State for his work during the crisis and acknowledged the efforts of local healthcare staff and volunteers in her constituency.

The Member raised concerns about varying R values across England, particularly highlighting risks faced by northern regions compared to London, urging for tailored measures.

He pointed out testing supply issues in Wolverhampton and sought assurance that these would be urgently addressed.

The Member requested the Secretary of State to work with BEIS officials to ensure that former miners' industrial diseases are noted on death certificates alongside covid-19, enabling families to receive necessary support.

He requested an immediate investigation into testing delays at a care home in his constituency and sought resolution from the Secretary of State.

The Member questioned why social distancing measures are less stringent for children, despite scientific divisions over coronavirus risk to them.

He highlighted the crucial role played by local volunteer-led mental health groups during the pandemic and sought continued Government support for these initiatives.

The Member asked whether teachers and school staff would be allowed to wear face coverings or visors at their discretion, despite not being advised by the Secretary of State.

He inquired about the extent to which the military has been utilized for logistics and support during the pandemic.

The Member questioned why detailed scientific advice on international travel restrictions was not published, urging transparency regarding decisions made since March.

She welcomed the reopening of schools from June 1 and sought reassurance about test, track and trace readiness for this measure.

The Member asked how newly recruited contact tracers would be supported and trained in their sensitive role.

She requested a review of the impact of ethnicity on covid-19 outcomes by Public Health England.

Critiqued the Government's claim of carrying out routine testing in care homes, highlighting a shortage of home-test kits.

Responded to Clive Efford by stating that his team would contact the local authority and clarified that mobile testing units are more commonly used for testing in care homes than home-testing kits.

Praised hospital radio stations, such as Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio, for providing comfort to patients during the coronavirus crisis and requested support for these stations moving forward.

Expressed pride in representing Stoke Mandeville hospital and radio station and acknowledged their importance, especially at times when visitors are not allowed.

Asked the Secretary of State to clarify if regional differences in R rate and new cases would be considered in future planning for financial-assistance programmes.

Agreed that regional factors would be taken into account in future planning.

Discussed inequality in mortality rates, questioning the Secretary of State on tackling disparities and building a healthier country post-crisis.

Agreed to work towards building a healthier country by addressing inequalities and tackling obesity.

Suggested that high levels of obesity in the UK have contributed to a greater impact from COVID-19, asking for more measures to tackle the causes of obesity.

Acknowledged early evidence linking serious obesity with severe impacts of coronavirus and committed to working on plans to address obesity under the Prime Minister's guidance. Additionally, thanked community first responders.