Covid-19 Hospital Admissions 2022-01-18
2022-01-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the concern over high numbers of covid-19 cases leading to significant hospital admissions. The questioner seeks clarity on measures taken.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of covid-19 hospital admissions.
We have developed a globally recognised programme that combines boosters, testing and antivirals to protect the vulnerable and reduce hospital admissions. Our “Get Boosted Now” campaign led to a huge increase in vaccination rates and we successfully procured the highest number of antivirals per head in Europe. We are employing remote monitoring technology to enable more patients to get care at home.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the context of high case fatality rates before omicron, with 14 in every 1000 cases being fatal. Since omicron, there have been an additional 5 million cases but a much lower rate of fatalities.
Before omicron arrived there had been over 10 million positive cases in this country of covid-19, of which 14 in every 1,000 appeared to have been fatal. Since omicron arrived there have been a further 5 million cases, and it looks as though the fatality rate is about 10 times lower. Will the Secretary of State tell the House how important the “Get Boosted Now” programme has been in reducing hospitalisations and fatalities?
The officials within my Department have carried out a wealth of analysis on case fatality rates in vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Recent data shows that covid-19 case fatality rates for the over-80s are more than five times greater in the unvaccinated compared to those with at least two doses. The consultant in charge of an ICU dealing with covid patients estimated that about 70% of his patients on a recent day were completely unvaccinated, underscoring the importance of vaccinations.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by a constituent's inability to see their spouse of 65 years in hospital after intervention from the MP.
I have a 90-year-old constituent who has been prevented from going to see his 89-year-old wife of 65 years. It took my intervention after 20 days for him to be able to get into the hospital, despite neither having covid. Will my right hon. Friend please instruct health trusts that, as we reduce the incidence of covid in hospitals, family members must be allowed to go and see their family in hospital?
I am sorry about the situation with your constituent. It is not right that people cannot visit their loved ones in hospital without an MP's intervention. Allowing such visits should be a priority for every trust and I have raised this issue with the NHS chief executive who assured me that this message will reach all trusts.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The concern is over women waiting an average of seven and a half years for diagnosis, leading to hospital admissions for routine treatments.
Too many women with endometriosis are being forced to go to A&E or seek hospital admissions for their treatment. This is partly because they wait on average seven and a half years for a diagnosis. What can the Secretary of State do to improve the knowledge and awareness of endometriosis right across all aspects of the NHS?
The women's health strategy will focus on endometriosis. Within that, we have set out how we can work together to do more.
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Assessment & feedback
Details of specific actions or timelines not provided beyond stating it is important and mentioned in the women's health strategy.
Focus On
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The context is that over 6 million people have had their routine hospital treatment cancelled as a result of the high number of covid admissions.
We know that the number of covid admissions has led to a number of people having their routine hospital treatment cancelled. Last week it was announced that that had reached a record-breaking 6 million people. When might the Government make a statement about hitting this figure and set out a plan to tackle it?
The increase in people waiting for elective procedures and scans is due to prioritising omicron. The Government have set out an £8 billion catch-up fund over the next three years. After dealing with omicron, we will shortly outline our detailed plan to tackle the elective backlog.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy