Covid-19 Government Communications People with Disabilities 2023-06-07
2023-06-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned the adequacy of government communications for disabled individuals throughout the pandemic, highlighting concerns about specific guidance and support availability.
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of Government communications during the covid-19 pandemic for people with disabilities. Many people with disabilities would disagree with the Minister's assessment of the communications and feel that, throughout the pandemic, the Government often failed to provide specific communications to disabled people about their rights and access to support.
Throughout the pandemic, the Government took their responsibilities to people with disabilities extremely seriously. We all remember the daily press conferences, which almost always had signers present, but that was just one element of a much broader communications strategy that ensured guidance and information were provided in easy-read, large text, audio and many other formats. I thank the hon. Lady for her question. On covid, I understand that this is something the inquiry will be considering. On her broader point, she will know that the NHS and publicly funded social care in this country have a duty, under section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to ensure that patients and people in care receive information in formats appropriate for them. I know the NHS takes that responsibility extremely seriously.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps being taken to ensure public health announcements are accessible to disabled individuals were not detailed.
Under Review
Taking Responsibilities Seriously
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned the adequacy of government communications for disabled individuals throughout the pandemic, highlighting concerns about specific guidance and support availability.
Many people with disabilities would disagree with the Minister's assessment of the communications and feel that, throughout the pandemic, the Government often failed to provide specific communications to disabled people about their rights and access to support. What steps is he taking to ensure that public health announcements, public health information and daily briefings are accessible to and are reaching people with disabilities, particularly those with a learning disability?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. On covid, I understand that this is something the inquiry will be considering. On her broader point, she will know that the NHS and publicly funded social care in this country have a duty, under section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to ensure that patients and people in care receive information in formats appropriate for them. I know the NHS takes that responsibility extremely seriously.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps being taken were not detailed; instead, it was noted that there is a duty under section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Under Review
Duty To Provide Information
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP referenced research showing a significant increase in the monthly costs for disabled households and highlighted that over 1 million disabled individuals are now living in poverty. She questioned what actions the government has taken to support these people.
Research from Scope shows that, in the last four years, the cost of running a disabled household rose from £583 a month to £975 a month. The Conservative cost of living crisis has forced disabled people to choose between using life-saving equipment and food. After 13 years of this Government, there are now over 1 million disabled people living in poverty. What action has the Minister taken to support these people?
The hon. Lady will know the extraordinary lengths to which this Government have gone to support people through the cost of living crisis. Help has been extended to people of all means and abilities, including the people she is speaking about, and we will continue to do what is necessary to help them.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or measures were detailed; only a general commitment was given.
Extraordinary Lengths
Will Continue To Help
Response accuracy