House of Commons · General Debate
13 July 2021 · 15 other contributors
Opened by Helen Whately Con Faversham and Mid Kent
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Helen Whately raised concerns about national health service in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The draft regulations aim to ensure care homes are better prepared for the winter season where they may have to battle with both covid-19 and flu. The regulations would help address the loss of more than 40,000 lives among care home residents during the pandemic and support those who need the kind of care received in a care home.
Asked for an apology from the Minister regarding the lack of impact assessment despite previous assurances that one was available.
Questioned why the impact assessment has not been made available to the House, despite being referred to as prepared in the explanatory notes.
Pressed for the immediate availability of the impact assessment and criticised the Government for not sharing critical information with Members before they are asked to vote on regulations. He highlighted concerns over transparency and accountability.
Inquired about who would be responsible for compensating care home staff if their failure to be vaccinated results in dismissal, questioning the clarity of the regulations beyond just care staff.
Suggested withdrawing the statutory instrument and ensuring that proper data is available for Members to make an informed decision on the balance of risk presented by the regulations.
I am eternally grateful for the care my father received, which went above and beyond what I could have expected. Carers showed my family and me what humanity truly is: changing their shifts to be with him, being on the end of the phone whenever we needed them... There are serious warnings from the care sector that the Government’s plan could lead to staff shortages in already understaffed care homes.
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Tooting (Dr Allin-Khan). I am delighted that the Official Opposition share my view and that of many of my colleagues that these are bad regulations and that they should be opposed this evening... An impact assessment is not an optional extra.
I am really grateful for the speech that my hon. Friend is making and obviously pass on my condolences to her. Does she agree that after all that our care workers have been through, what they need at this time is not only supported conversation about how they can progress with their own vaccination, or not, but to have the right people in place giving them that supported conversation?
I hear what the hon. Lady is saying. My first instinct on persuasion, months and months ago, was exactly the same, but more than seven months on, it has not happened. I am tempted to ask, “If not now, when?”, to coin a phrase. What is her response to that?
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Tooting (Dr Allin-Khan). I am delighted that the Official Opposition share my view and that of many of my colleagues that these are bad regulations and that they should be opposed this evening... My constituents are absolutely livid about what is being proposed.
Supports vaccination but opposes mandatory legislation for care home staff. Emphasises the success of voluntary vaccination approaches in Scotland, highlighting that virtually all care home staff are vaccinated without mandating it. Stresses three key policy approaches: professionalisation through registration, addressing disinformation with expert webinars, and convenient joint vaccinations for residents and staff.
Agrees that protection of care home residents is crucial but argues against mandatory vaccination. Highlights the need to address specific barriers to vaccine uptake in targeted areas rather than enforcing a mandate. Criticises the lack of proper impact assessment and transparency regarding the proposed regulations.
Wilson supports vaccination but argues against mandatory measures, citing potential negative impacts on care worker shortages and trust. She highlights issues such as low pay, lack of career progression, and the importance of persuasion over coercion to encourage vaccination among care workers.
Brady agrees with Wilson's concerns and emphasises the need for an impact assessment before implementing mandatory measures. He raises issues regarding religious freedom and asks for assurances that the principle will be respected by the Government, highlighting a specific case involving Christian Science care homes.
Evans acknowledges concerns about mandatory measures but argues in favour of targeted exemptions for those at risk. He emphasises the need to balance staff rights with patient safety, citing relevant legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.