Coronavirus Response

Thanks to Britain's perseverance, daily new cases have been below 1,000 for over three weeks. NHS test and trace has asked 180,000 people to self-isolate. The plan is working through local action, with the publication of a framework for containing future outbreaks. Enhanced data sharing with local bodies will help in decision making. Testing targets aim for half a million antigen tests by October's end. Extra funding of £3 billion has been allocated to protect NHS this winter, including support for flu vaccination and hospital capacity. The UK leads on vaccine development, securing 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine and additional access to other vaccines. Treatments like dexamethasone and SNG001 show promising results in reducing severe disease.

Asked the Secretary of State for Health whether it is true that the chief nursing officer was dropped from Downing Street press conferences because she refused to support Dominic Cummings. Emphasised the importance of equitable access to a vaccine when developed, and asked about scenario planning if no vaccine becomes available. Questioned the scientific basis behind the guidance change on home working and the criteria for implementing a second lockdown. Inquired about the definition of low prevalence for social distancing easing by Christmas, and sought clarity on visits to care homes. Criticised the lack of extra funding for social care despite NHS funding announcement. Raised issues with Test and Trace efficiency, local data availability, and promised support for businesses in local lockdowns.

Acknowledged support from Labour on vaccines and thanked Jon Ashworth for his offer to stand against the anti-vax movement. Emphasised efforts on treatments like dexamethasone, highlighting UK's global leadership in clinical trials. Clarified SAGE advice implementation and defended decisions made during the pandemic. Defended NHS Test and Trace effectiveness despite criticisms, promising enhanced data sharing with local authorities. Rejected Labour’s approach to divide public and private sectors.

Complimented the Health Secretary on his efforts over six months, particularly the introduction of 100,000 tests target in April. Highlighted the challenge of bridging the gap between daily infections and those entering NHS test and trace system, asking for details on how to prevent a second wave before Christmas.

Welcomes vaccine development but highlights the need for better contact tracing and individual test result provision to local public health teams.

Asked about steps being taken to ensure local authorities have necessary powers to control virus spikes, emphasising the importance of localized action.

Thanked the Health Secretary for deals on Kaftrio and Spinraza but raised concerns about uncertainty and safety for people with long-term conditions who have been shielding.

Congratulated the Health Secretary on a drop in hospital admissions, emphasising the importance of local response and action.

Asked about inaccuracies in Public Health England deaths data and its impact on future planning for the covid response.

Inquired about additional support given to GPs for caring for patients with long-term symptoms from coronavirus.

Asked if timely postcode-level data will assist the Kirklees Council in managing local outbreaks effectively.

Inquired about persuading people to adhere to public safety messages amidst protests against masks and illegal raves.

Asked for the Secretary of State's view on the possibility of a vaccine by October, expressing interest in recent reports from drug companies.

Expressed concern about social care being overwhelmed if there is a second surge and asked for further support for social care.

Welcomed the update on the vaccine programme and inquired about further research into immunity.

Asked questions regarding correspondence concerning medical cannabis for epileptic children and cancer recovery plans, implying dissatisfaction with lack of response from the Department.

Inquired about guidance for smoke-free areas outside pubs and restaurants, seeking confirmation that such proposals would be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

Complimented the Secretary of State for his recent support during local challenges and advocated for stricter mask-wearing enforcement and confronting anti-vaxxers.

Inquired about additional funding for NHS Nightingale hospitals in relation to Wales, seeking clarity on financial allocations.

Asked the Secretary of State to address issues concerning sick pay and access to extra help for those who need to self-isolate due to financial pressures.

Inquired about potential use of co-trimoxazole in the UK based on positive results from trials in Bangladesh and India.

Requested a full risk assessment for each category on the shielding list before 1 August to help people have faith in Government advice.

Asked why pub capacity is different from wedding reception limits, seeking clarity and comfort for those who are confused by restrictions.

Pressed the Secretary of State to address mental health challenges arising from the pandemic and lockdown, particularly focusing on young people and BME workers in frontline roles.

Asked the Secretary of State for plans to provide reassurance about vaccinations, highlighting Synairgen’s work in Southampton.

Responded by confirming plans to ensure vaccine safety and launch a communication campaign. Emphasised the order of vaccine distribution starting with the most vulnerable groups. Also praised Caroline Nokes for her representation of Southampton.

Asked about delays in local public health directors receiving individual data needed to prevent another lockdown, questioning if this was a result of the Government's slow and over-centralised approach.

Responded by stating that people need assurance their data will be used sensitively. Defended the government’s rapid response, urging MPs to support the work done in a few short weeks rather than criticising it.

Asked about engagement with local authorities and providing guidance for areas experiencing high infection rates, citing Blackburn as an example.

Committed to working closely with MPs in affected areas like Lancashire, acknowledging the concerns of constituents. Highlighted the need to tackle high infection rate areas effectively.

Expressed concern about local authorities not receiving patient-identifiable data and asked what powers they would have to coordinate with other local authorities for data sharing.

Responded by confirming that upper-tier local authorities can conclude further data-sharing agreements with lower-tier local authorities if needed.

Asked about ensuring Wolverhampton residents could easily access testing whenever they need it.

Confirmed that anybody in Wolverhampton who needs a test can get one if they have symptoms and encouraged constituents to get tested when in doubt.

Asked for the Secretary of State's agreement to pursue a strategy of eliminating the virus, citing projections of 27,000 deaths by spring without such an approach.

Responded that those projections did not take into account actions the UK Government were undertaking.

Welcomed news about successful Oxford vaccine trials and asked for clarity on when the trial would end, as well as assurances that a route to market for a successful vaccine will be quick.

Explained that clinical trials are not time-bound but run until results are conclusive. Assured that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency would approve results as soon as possible, making the vaccine available quickly.

Asked for clarification on how to report statistics allowing coronavirus to be recorded as cause of death on a death certificate versus deaths with no symptoms but due to coronavirus complications.

Responded by explaining the difficulty in teasing out answers to such questions, highlighting the need for proper measurement and scepticism about international comparisons of death data.

Asked if tests were available to elderly residents in sheltered accommodation and retirement villages as previously promised.

Responded by bringing the answer to the Science and Technology Committee chaired by Greg Clark tomorrow, having commissioned an answer ahead of his appearance there.

Asked how trust in a test, trace and isolate system would be increased given issues such as data protection impact assessments being optional and incidents like contact tracers sharing patient details on social media.

Responded by stating that three separate data protection impact assessments were made, covering all necessary aspects.

Asked for an update on support given to care homes and whether any had closed due to financial constraints caused by covid as previously raised.

Emphasised the government's efforts to support social care and local authorities, committed to writing to a specific MP regarding Ashfield details. Addressed concerns about national guidance and resources for local lockdowns by highlighting the importance of considering local circumstances in decision-making.

Called on the government to provide clear national guidance, good data, and better resources before asking cities to undertake local lockdowns. Highlighted that 80% of traced individuals are reached by public health teams but suggested they deserve a greater proportion of the recruited tracers.

Asked for support in placing mobile testing units in Maltby and Dinnington to ensure that everyone can access tests easily, considering local transport issues.

Welcomed the Health Secretary’s change of heart on sending complete pillar 2 testing data daily to local public health departments. Questioned the impact of delays in sharing data on infection rates, public confidence, and local economies.

Asked for scientific evidence on how cold weather might affect virus transmission to be shared with local health trusts and councils to prepare for the winter season, which is also flu season.

Raised concerns about delayed cancer treatment during lockdowns and asked for transformation of radiotherapy services as a potential solution. Highlighted the tragic case of Kelly Smith who died due to delayed treatment.

Congratulated Cobra Biologics in Newcastle-under-Lyme for its early vaccine production and praised Staffordshire Resilience Forum's efforts that have led to a downgrading of coronavirus incidence.