Elective Procedure Backlogs 2021-10-19
2021-10-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The NHS is experiencing significant backlogs in elective procedures, affecting elderly patients particularly.
What steps he is taking to reduce elective procedure backlogs in the NHS. Before asking my question, may I make a declaration of personal interest, namely, my age? People of my generation and older are finding more and more delays in elective procedures, but the response of the Government appears to be to just pump more taxpayers' money into the bottomless pit of the NHS.
The record investment that we are putting into our NHS, particularly to address the elective procedure backlogs, goes hand in hand with innovation and reform. The NHS is utilising the independent and private sector to carry out procedures for NHS patients.
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Assessment & feedback
Tax breaks or similar are matters for the Chancellor, not me.
Tax Breaks Or Similar Are Matters For The Chancellor
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The elective recovery fund has thresholds that disproportionately affect hospitals with less capacity, impacting constituents' access to elective surgery.
What steps will the Minister take to ensure that my constituents in York have funding from the Government to help build that capacity and have the elective surgery they need?
The hon. Lady recognised that the thresholds are an additionality alongside the record extra investment we are putting into our NHS. We believe it is the right approach to generate increased capacity.
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Assessment & feedback
We believe it is the right approach to generate increased capacity.
We Believe It Is The Right Approach
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Community hospitals play a crucial role in recovery and rehabilitation, but staffing issues are threatening their operation.
Is the Minister aware that on Friday, NHS Shropshire announced the imminent closure of Bishop's Castle Community Hospital for patient safety reasons due to a lack of qualified nursing staff? Will he work with me to put pressure on the local NHS to develop a plan to recruit suitably qualified nurses and reopen the hospital as soon as possible?
My right hon. Friend makes an important point about the role that community hospitals play in helping to drive down waiting lists. I am grateful for him drawing this to my attention, and will look into the specific situation raised.
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Assessment & feedback
I am happy to work with him to see what can be done in that situation.
See What Can Be Done
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a severe shortage of carers in adult social care, leading to critical situations where families cannot find any support.
Delays in procedures are causing increased pressure on our adult social care system. In September, East Riding of Yorkshire Council told my constituent that there was not a single carer to be had for her mum in the whole of the East Riding, and that the family's options were to put their mum into residential care or to deal with it themselves.
The hon. Lady is right to highlight that social care and the NHS go hand in hand, why we have made ambitious proposals for furthering their integration.
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Assessment & feedback
I, or perhaps more appropriately the Minister for Care and Mental Health, would be happy to meet her to discuss the details of that situation.
Happy To Meet
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Government spending on the NHS is increasing, but there are concerns about waste and lower productivity.
Before asking my question, may I make a declaration of personal interest, namely, my age? People of my generation and older are finding more and more delays in elective procedures, but the response of the Government appears to be to just pump more taxpayers' money into the bottomless pit of the NHS.
The record investment that we are putting into our NHS, particularly to address the elective procedure backlogs, goes hand in hand with innovation and reform.
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Assessment & feedback
Tax breaks or similar are matters for the Chancellor, not me.
Tax Breaks Or Similar Are Matters For The Chancellor
Response accuracy