Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question was prompted by the ongoing issue of NHS backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Elective care services were significantly disrupted.
What progress has been made on tackling the NHS backlogs in elective care caused by the covid-19 outbreak?
We are making good progress on tackling the covid-19 backlog, having already halved the number of patients with the longest waits. Our elective recovery plan commits an additional £8 billion to deliver approximately 30% more elective activity than before the pandemic. We have ambitions to go further.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about the cost of living and ensuring that NHS funds are used effectively.
What assurances can my right hon. Friend give me that constituents in Heywood and Middleton will get bang for their buck from the extra money they pay into the NHS? The focus should be on testing, treatment, not management and miscellany.
I am pleased to give that assurance. We are ensuring every penny is spent on the elective recovery and tackling backlogs. In Heywood and Middleton, four new community diagnostic centres have already done 60,000 more checks and tests.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The roll-out of vaccines has not addressed the needs of immunocompromised people who are still shielding.
Can the Secretary of State update the House on where we are on delivering Evusheld, which would allow immunocompromised people to have freedom?
Evusheld has conditional marketing authorisation from the MHRA. Further tests are ongoing via the UK Health Sciences Authority to ensure it works well and satisfies clinicians when it comes to omicron.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a clear timeline or specific plan for delivering Evusheld, focusing instead on regulatory processes.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The need to expand NHS capacity by recruiting skilled professionals.
What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure we recruit the skilled professionals needed for the NHS?
We are recruiting at a record rate, with more doctors and nurses working for the NHS than ever before. The first 15-year, long-term workforce strategy has been requested from the NHS.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
High demand for eye care services with more than 632,000 people waiting on NHS lists.
Does the Secretary of State agree that it is essential to retain funding for the national eye care recovery and transformation programme?
The hon. Lady is right about the importance of eye care services, which is why we are putting record investment into dealing with backlogs. We will keep it under review to ensure it leads to desired outcomes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly state whether funding for the programme would be retained or provide a timeline.
Under Review
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Smoking is a leading cause of cancer, affecting over 2 million people.
Can the Secretary of State assure the House that no tobacco lobbyist will influence the Government's tobacco control plan?
All decisions are made by Ministers. The Government is committed to a smoke-free 2030, which is why I commissioned an independent review. We welcome its findings and are considering them carefully.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct assurance regarding the influence of tobacco lobbyists on the control plan.
All Decisions Made By Ministers
Response accuracy