Covid-19 Update

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The Shadow Secretary raised concerns about the lack of traceability of contacts from unreported cases and questioned when the public was informed, as well as who was responsible for this failure in the system. He also asked how local directors were made aware of the issue.

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The MP highlighted numerous failures in the UK's test-and-trace system, including delays in reporting positive cases and ineffective contact tracing. He questioned when local directors of public health were informed about these issues and demanded answers on how many contacts have been traced and are isolating.

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The MP praised the expansion of testing capacity but questioned whether NHS laboratories and universities should take over staff testing from Lighthouse labs due to overwhelming demand.

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The MP questioned whether the issue was due to data transfer between formats and why it was not anticipated. She also expressed concern over the missed opportunities for preventing onward spread, given that around 10 days had passed before action was taken.

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My right hon. Friend hopes for a safe and effective vaccine to be available soon, but the vaccines taskforce expects it initially to only cover half of the population, with priority given to over-50s and vulnerable individuals. What are the implications for the remaining half?

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South Manchester has some of the highest infection rates, but this is largely due to high numbers among students confined to halls. Will local lockdown restrictions in Manchester be based on misleading figures?

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Why did not the Government learn from previous successes with Nightingale hospitals and PPE procurement by involving the military in logistics and planning?

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Due to the spreadsheet problem known since July, how will the Government ensure accountability and return of public money given to private companies running the test and trace service?

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Many elective operations have been delayed due to the pandemic. Will the NHS use additional resources for post-op rehabilitation to expedite such surgeries?

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Given that Greater Manchester has been under local restrictions for two months with high infection rates, should control over test and trace systems be given to local areas?

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What is the scientific evidence for restrictions on travel in north Wales as announced by the Welsh Government?

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When will the Scottish and UK test and trace apps be interoperable?

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Will universities introducing student responsibility agreements be commended? Will changes to infection rates mean no further restrictions this week?

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Local authorities report a backlog of up to 500 unexpected positive cases, with frustration over the lack of joined-up working between local and national systems. When will he start to work better with local authorities for a more integrated approach?

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With the absence of a vaccine, how will future testing methods such as saliva tests and finger-prick tests be integrated into current systems?

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Local authorities in the north-east proposed a regional test and trace system. Will he agree to this proposal and fund local authorities accordingly?

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Given increased testing capacity over August, what further measures will be taken to boost testing capacity?

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Despite significant investment in testing, London’s testing hours have dropped by 43%. Is there a risk of inaccurate data due to limited testing capacity? When will adequate testing be available?

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With varied restrictions across regions, how will simplification of approach be considered to ensure clarity?

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Long-term impacts and pressures on health systems from long covid need assessment. What research has been initiated?

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Reports suggest plans to close hospitals in Lancaster and Preston to build one super-hospital. Does this imply closing more than opening new ones?

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Should we focus equally on hospitalisation rates rather than incidence rates during coronavirus responses?

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Liverpool city region faces a budget shortfall of £150 million. The Secretary announced only £7 million for test, trace and isolate efforts. When will he fund local public health teams adequately?

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Inquired about reviewing the rule that requires an entire year group to stay out of school for 14 days if one pupil tests positive, suggesting better testing systems are now in place.

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Asked about continuing efforts to increase testing capacity, particularly for Victoria Hall in Keighley.

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Requested access to data process flow charts and quality assurance policies related to recent data errors.

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Asked if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will meet again to discuss vaccine progress.

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Inquired about lost test results in Oldham and delays in contact tracing.

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Asked about plans to ensure routine GP and dental appointments are available during the winter.

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Stressed the need for cooperation between local authorities, universities, and health trusts to combat the virus over winter.

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Welcomed a new test centre at Keele University and inquired about testing capacity issues and the target of half a million tests per day by end-September.

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Inquired about delays in data transfer from the national system to local contact tracers.

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Asked about advice on limiting virus transmission within households, especially for vulnerable family members.

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Asked for a guarantee that the NHS will have funding resources needed to get through this winter.

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Asked if rule of six and curfew are based on evidence from Belgium.

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Asked if Secretary of State shares Prime Minister’s view on local undiscipline.

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Asked for assurance that work continues to increase testing capacity in Devon.

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Asked about number of people still waiting to be contacted for the first time and confidence in notification process.

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Asked if Secretary of State will drop dangerous proposal to close Preston and Lancaster hospitals.

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Asked when the new hospital in Kettering will be built and finished.

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Asked to kick out Serco and sack Dido Harding, putting billions of pounds wasted into NHS.

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Asked if Secretary of State agrees that hospitals should reintroduce access for birth partners during all stages of labour.

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Asked why only the UK has experienced such problems with Excel spreadsheets.

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Asked if statement impacts decision to keep Redcar and Cleveland out of local lockdown restrictions.

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Asked about delay in contact tracing for positive test results and drug stockpiles during pandemic.

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I thank the Secretary of State for his continued engagement with me and other colleagues from all sides of the House throughout this crisis, and also for our new Boris hospital coming to Shotley Bridge. My constituents have three concerns still, one of which is the speed of getting tests back. I know there has been some improvement recently, but will he update us on that? They are also still concerned about the 10 pm restrictions and about clarity on how we get out of local lockdown measures.

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Will the Secretary of State please outline what measures will be put in place to ensure that all family members of residents in care homes can continue to see their families and loved ones over the coming months, including whether guarantee PPE and testing for families will be guaranteed?

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I welcome the news that the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital will be rebuilt in Nottingham. On PPE, the Minister for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Charnwood (Edward Argar), told the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee in July that in the early days of the pandemic the Government went from supplying PPE to about 250 or 260 hospitals to 58,000 organisations such was the pace of change. With the measures the Government have recently taken, and with 32 billion pieces of PPE, can my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government are now in a much better position to deal with PPE should there be any increase in cases as we go into the winter?

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I am reassured by the Secretary of State’s answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Jeff Smith) that Manchester will not be subject to further restrictions as a result of the contained outbreaks in halls of residence. However, Manchester residents have now been unable to see their loved ones for more than two months—since our rates were less than 50 per 100,000 and they are now 10 times higher—and I strongly reject the suggestion that this is somehow because of our own personal actions. Is it not time for a rethink? Blanket, wide local restrictions just are not working according to their own objectives.

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On Saturday, my wife and I got our annual flu jabs. The GPs and nurses at our local surgery are doing an outstanding job. Does my right hon. Friend agree that people need to be aware of some of the side-effects of vaccines and be crystal clear on the symptoms of coronavirus, so that once they have had their vaccines, they may not necessarily seek covid tests? People should be absolutely clear on the three symptoms of covid.

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After our broken test and trace system and the failure to put a protective ring around care homes, and after the recent and preventable outbreaks in universities and the ultimately unnecessary restructuring of Public Health England, the chaos this weekend is symbolic of the way the Government have handled the pandemic. Does the Secretary of State agree that these are his failures and only his alone?

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London consists of 32 boroughs plus the City of London and covers a population of around 8 million people. We are told that infection rates are going up in each of the London boroughs, but some are much higher than others. I urge my right hon. Friend to consider, when he needs to introduce lockdown procedures, doing so on a borough-by-borough basis and not inflicting unnecessary restrictions on the whole of London.

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The Secretary of State is full of bravado and bluster, despite a catalogue of mistakes and regular statements. When the truth is spread thinly, people start to see through it.

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May I begin by thanking my right hon. Friend for the £500 million for Epsom and St Helier hospitals and for taking very quick action after I asked in this House for additional testing capacity in Carshalton and Wallington? Not long after I asked him, we heard that three more sites may open in my borough, which is very welcome. Obviously, those new sites will need the testing capacity to be able to cope, so can he assure me that we will continue the work to get that capacity up as quickly as possible?

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Various companies have multimillion-pound contracts, and it is important that we understand their motivation to succeed. Does Serco get paid for voided test results—yes or no?

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I thank my right hon. Friend for his important statement. In South Derbyshire we have world-renowned laboratories locally, and my constituents have asked me to ask: what steps is he taking to increase the number of labs available to process tests, so that we can continue to increase testing capacity as quickly as possible?

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People in lockdown areas of Wales cannot travel to other parts of the country, but people from high-risk areas like Manchester can. Will the Secretary of State restrict travel out of locked-down areas in England? If not, will he accept that it would be a good idea for people arriving in low-risk areas in Wales to quarantine?

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Was it a political decision to pursue a private sector route for testing, and will Scots be prejudiced by the Tory Government’s preference for private profit over public health?

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Will additional funding be provided to help Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Royal Stoke University Hospital deliver increased testing capacity for local health and social care workers?

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Are there shortages and recalls of flu vaccine going on at the moment, and was Kate Bingham correct in saying that vaccinating the whole population would not happen?

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Can mass testing help sectors such as travel, theatre and events open up again?

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Is it time to admit that the national system has failed and give responsibility directly to directors of public health with resources for not only testing but tracing?

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What progress is being made to expand testing capacity for constituents needing it?

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Can the Secretary of State assure that data used for local restrictions is up-to-date and accurate?