Covid-19

The shadow Secretary of State for Health questioned the effectiveness of the test and trace system, suggesting that investing in local public health teams would be more effective. He also asked about plans to introduce regular weekly testing for NHS front-line staff, rapid antigen tests, saliva testing, pooled testing, and GP-led testing. Additionally, he raised concerns over local lockdown decisions, vaccine safety, and the restructuring of Public Health England.

Responded to questions about NHS Test and Trace, mass testing, local lockdowns, vaccine deployment, and mental health support. Emphasised the importance of combining national and local systems in testing and tracing, highlighted efforts towards saliva tests and pool tests, and acknowledged the need for regular testing for key workers.

Asked about the availability of asymptomatic testing for NHS staff, teachers, and others in frequent contact with the public. Pushed for regular weekly testing as a way to reassure patients and parents.

Raised concerns about identity verification issues for home-testing kits and criticised Serco's poor performance in contact tracing. Questioned the breakup of Public Health England and suggested focusing on a public health-based system.

Welcomed new rapid tests and suggested their roll-out begin in Buckinghamshire, particularly in Beaconsfield.

Expressed concern about the impact of the pandemic on cancer services. Called for a taskforce to address cancer treatment issues, increase funding for new equipment and clinical trials, and ensure sufficient medical staff availability.

Discussed the strain on mental health services during the pandemic. Highlighted cases of people going missing due to mental health issues and sought assurance that individuals suffering from such conditions receive adequate support.

Asked the Secretary of State about his plan to tackle NHS service backlogs and cancer patient treatments during winter.

Responded by discussing plans to increase throughput of surgery, introduce changes for more risk-based infection control procedures, and invest additional funds into the NHS to ensure continued services through winter. He also mentioned the importance of the flu vaccination programme in protecting NHS from higher demand during winter.

Asked about assurances for timely completion of A&E upgrades funded by £900,000 grant to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust ahead of winter.

Asked the Secretary of State to confirm that closure plans for Ealing Hospital services are not being reintroduced under a different guise after scrapping the controversial 'Shaping a healthier future' programme.

Thanked the Department for £1.5 million additional funding for Milton Keynes University Hospital and stressed the need to prepare for both threats of covid-19 and winter flu this season.

Critiqued the Secretary of State's decision to announce Public Health England’s scrapping without parliamentary scrutiny during recess. Asked for a public inquiry timeline regarding PHE’s dissolution.

Inquired about ongoing work to ensure timely procurement and publication of all previous PPE contracts details this winter.

Asked the Secretary of State for ways to incentivize GPs and pharmacies to collaborate rather than compete over flu vaccination provision.

Inquired about review of routine operations, such as tonsillitis surgeries and hip replacements, due to backlog caused by the pandemic. Asked when these will be addressed.

Expressed reassurance on progress made in fighting the virus over six months. Inquired about NHS’s collaboration with private sector for testing capacity to reopen economy safely.

Complained about inefficiencies within track and trace system, including duplication of information requests and incorrect isolation instructions.

Thanked local authorities for their actions in containing a recent outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent. Asked if these rapid actions contributed to the decline in positive cases.

Emphasised the effectiveness of local efforts in controlling infections, specifically highlighting Stoke-on-Trent's response. Reiterated that councils have a statutory obligation and are provided with necessary support to prevent local outbreaks.

Asked for additional financial support from the Government to aid local test and trace efforts in areas under scrutiny due to high infection rates.

Suggested that older people are capable of deciding how to protect their own health without extensive governmental intervention, criticising the frequent changes in government policy and advocating for a more trusting approach to public health decisions.

Inquired about specific actions being taken by the Government to support disabled individuals amid concerns over their mental health and wellbeing post-lockdown.

Acknowledged the importance of adherence to track and trace guidelines in controlling virus spread, citing a recent outbreak near his constituency as evidence for this necessity.

Expressed concern over the lack of open competitive tendering processes during contract awards worth £1 billion out of £2.5 billion total covid-related procurement spending.

Asked for clarification on whether local authorities should adopt targeted and pragmatic approaches when implementing local restrictions, referencing Sandwell's unique situation with varied case numbers across different borough areas.

Questioned the interconnectedness of Greater Manchester’s boroughs in relation to local lockdown decisions and sought assurance that lifting restrictions in some areas wouldn't prolong them elsewhere.

Highlighted the importance of joint partnership working, effective test and trace operations, and flu vaccination programmes in reducing pressure on NHS intensive care units during winter months.

Inquired about advice given by the Secretary of State to universities regarding student returns and measures being taken to ensure a safe return for higher education institutions.

Discussed practical steps for executing a large-scale flu vaccination programme, particularly focusing on those aged 50 and above, amid challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.

Announced significant investments in the flu vaccine programme, deregulation to increase vaccination administration capacity, and encouraged widespread uptake of vaccines. He also addressed concerns about testing availability and rapid turnaround technology for care homes. Additionally, he discussed local lockdown criteria, statutory sick pay discussions with BEIS, research on vaccine efficacy and immunity duration, the National Institute for Health Protection's creation, and rapid tests deployment.

Asked about the status of covid testing in Enfield care homes and progress with rapid turnaround tests implementation. She also questioned the criteria used to decide on local lockdown measures.

Welcomed the Secretary of State’s statement and asked about the criteria informing decisions on imposing or easing specific lockdown measures in areas like Wakefield.

Acknowledged public health officials' efforts and raised concerns regarding statutory sick pay levels, suggesting it discourages people from isolating when symptomatic due to financial pressures.

Asked about progress in understanding the development of immunity after contracting covid-19 and rapid testing for immunity analysis.

Questioned the decision to reorganise public health during a pandemic, comparing it to restructuring firefighting in the midst of an emergency.

Expressed excitement over two new rapid tests and urged for their quick deployment, especially in care settings.

Brought up suicide statistics and asked about the Secretary of State's plans to ensure suicide prevention remains a priority during economic downturns caused by the pandemic.

Asked detailed questions regarding the creation process, legal basis, funding, and operational structure of the National Institute for Health Protection.

Discussed efforts against anti-vaxxers and inquired about meetings with Facebook representatives to address misinformation on their platforms.

Expressed concerns over the future of long-term public health work under the new National Institute for Health Protection, questioning who will take ownership of initiatives related to smoking, air quality, obesity, childhood vaccinations, and inequalities.

Mr. Hancock acknowledges the importance of health improvement, particularly in tackling obesity and involves local councils and NHS in this agenda. He also highlights that healthcare funding has been significantly increased this year with many billions of pounds flowing to Scotland via Barnett consequentials.

Mr. Day questions the Secretary of State about committing to raise healthcare funding and ensuring that Scotland's NHS receives sufficient Barnett funding to prepare for a potential second wave in winter.

Mr. McCartney thanks the people of Kirklees for their sacrifices during local restrictions, praises his hon. Friend for arguing that restrictions should be targeted and data-based, and seeks continued collaboration with the Health Secretary to ensure all parts of Kirklees can be released from these measures.