Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Public Health

01 March 2022 · 3 other contributors

Opened by Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Rachael Maskell raised concerns about public health in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about maintaining public safety for vulnerable groups in care homes as regulations change.
  • The Minister announced continuation of testing availability for at-risk groups until the end of March.
  • No specific commitments were made beyond the continuation of testing for vulnerable groups.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central

In the light of these really important regulations and the protections they have provided for so long, I believe it is important to scrutinise the Minister on how we will maintain public safety as we move forward, in particular for vulnerable groups who have had protections during the pandemic. For instance, there is currently no guidance in place for visitors to care homes or staff working in care homes. It would be helpful to hear from the Minister how she is going to handle that, as well as any outbreak of covid, and what forms of test and trace will be in place to address those issues.

Other contributors (3)
  • Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth

    The all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus took evidence this morning from SAGE—the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies—academics and clinicians. They were clear in their concern that the living with coronavirus strategy does not include what needs to happen. It tells us what needs to stop, but it does not say what needs to happen. I am thinking particularly about the surveillance of new variants and the impacts on the communities that will be most detrimentally affected. Will the Minister expand on how the Government will ensure they keep us safe?

  • Caroline Lucas

    I was also at the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus evidence session this morning and the health experts were unanimous in saying that to remove the restrictions around self-isolation right now is premature. They were all concerned about the impact it would have on the 3.7 million clinically vulnerable people. If people cannot test and they are not self-isolating, they may well sit next to somebody in a train carriage who is extremely vulnerable. They will not know that that person is extremely vulnerable and they will not be taking any precautions. We ought to ensure that we retain the requirement to self-isolate. It is one of the most basic measures we have to protect other people.

  • Maggie Throup

    First, I would like to outline that the House has been asked to revoke the legal requirements around self-isolation if one tests positive for covid-19. To answer some of the specific questions raised by Opposition Members, as announced on 21 February, we will continue to make testing available for a small number of at-risk groups. We are considering which groups will be eligible for tests after provision for the general public ends. Tests are available until the end of March. That addresses the specific questions asked about people in vulnerable settings. As for how we are moving forward, the Government will retain surveillance to monitor the virus, understand its evolution and identify changes and new characteristics. Finally, I remind the House that we have already sent out 1.3 million PCR tests to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

Government Response

Maggie Throup

First, I would like to outline that the House has been asked to revoke the legal requirements around self-isolation if one tests positive for covid-19. To answer some of the specific questions raised by Opposition Members, as announced on 21 February, we will continue to make testing available for a small number of at-risk groups. Tests are available until the end of March. That addresses the specific questions asked about people in vulnerable settings. As for how we are moving forward, the Government will retain surveillance to monitor the virus, understand its evolution and identify changes and new characteristics.

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