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Covid-19
01 September 2020
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSSocial CareMental Health
Other Contributors: 44
At a Glance
Matthew Hancock raised concerns about covid-19 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care outlined the current state of coronavirus cases in the UK, emphasising the need for vigilance against a potential second wave. He highlighted progress in testing, contact tracing, local interventions, vaccine development, and measures to prepare for winter, including expanding A&E capacity and allocating funding to protect social care.
Jonathan Ashworth
Lab/Co-op
Leicester South
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.
Matthew Hancock
Con
Filton and Bradley Stoke
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.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Richmond Park
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.
Central Ayrshire
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.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Welcomed new rapid tests and suggested their roll-out begin in Buckinghamshire, particularly in Beaconsfield.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
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.
Rehman Chishti
Con
Gillingham and Rainham
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.
Southgate and Wood Green
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.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Asked about assurances for timely completion of A&E upgrades funded by £900,000 grant to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust ahead of winter.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
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.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
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.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
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.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Asked for additional financial support from the Government to aid local test and trace efforts in areas under scrutiny due to high infection rates.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
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.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
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.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
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.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
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.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
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.
Matthew Hancock
Con
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.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
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.
Imran Ahmad Khan
Con
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.
David Linden
Lab
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.
Andy Carter
Con
Asked about progress in understanding the development of immunity after contracting covid-19 and rapid testing for immunity analysis.
John Cryer
Lab
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.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
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.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Asked detailed questions regarding the creation process, legal basis, funding, and operational structure of the National Institute for Health Protection.
Chris Elmore
Lab
Bridgend
Discussed efforts against anti-vaxxers and inquired about meetings with Facebook representatives to address misinformation on their platforms.
Steve Brine
Con
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.
Matthew Hancock
Con
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.
Martyn Day
SNP
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.
Jason McCartney
Con
Kirklees
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.
Government Response
Responded to multiple queries including testing in care homes, local lockdown criteria, sick pay discussions with BEIS, vaccine research progress, the National Institute for Health Protection's creation rationale and operational structure, rapid tests deployment readiness, suicide prevention vigilance, and efforts against anti-vaxxers. Mr. Hancock confirms increased healthcare funding this year, highlights the use of granular data in localised restrictions for Kirklees, and commits to working with Mr. McCartney towards further easing of restrictions based on virus control.
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