Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Testing Capacity

Tuesday 17 November 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department has processed over 500,000 coronavirus tests daily and operates five Lighthouse labs across the UK.
  • Pilots for testing in care homes are ongoing to address visiting restrictions while ensuring resident safety.
  • Government is funding local authorities to support mass testing logistics, with lessons learned from pilots in areas like Hampshire.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire
NHS
Context

The MP inquired about the steps being taken to boost testing capacity for COVID-19 as part of public health measures.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to increase covid-19 testing capacity?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

We are processing coronavirus tests on an unprecedented scale and expanding capacity further, having already met our testing capacity target of 500,000 tests a day by the end of October. We now have five Lighthouse labs operating across the UK, with two more announced yesterday, and significant progress on next-generation testing technologies.

Answered
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Q2 Scott Benton
NHS Social Care
Context

The MP congratulated the Secretary of State on increasing testing capacity and expressed hope for a nationwide scheme to enable care home visits.

Question

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the tremendous progress he has made over recent months on increasing our testing capacity, including the delivery of a new site in my constituency. The recent announcement regarding care homes is welcome. How quickly does he think the trial process can be concluded, so that we can roll out a nationwide scheme to ensure that those in care homes can finally see their loved ones again?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

We have discussed many times in this House the importance of the use of testing because of the terrible dilemma of wanting to keep people safe in care homes, yet also wanting to allow visiting. Testing can help to resolve that. The pilots are ongoing in some parts of the country, and I very much hope that we can get to a position where we can offer testing to enable visiting across the country before Christmas

Partly answered

Not addressed: The timeframe for nationwide rollout was not specified.

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Q3 Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire
NHS
Context

The MP inquired about the support being provided to local authorities and public health teams for logistical aspects of mass testing, especially in large rural areas like Hampshire.

Question

I welcome the testing pilots that are happening, including in Southampton. How will the Government be able to support local authorities and public health teams with the logistics of mass testing, particularly in large rural areas such as Hampshire?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

Increasingly, the test itself is only one part of getting a high-quality testing system. The logistics around it are also vital. We are already funding local authorities across the country to support them to roll out mass testing, but we will learn from the pilots, including in Hampshire, to see what extra might be needed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assistance beyond general logistical considerations was detailed.

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Q4 Jon Ashworth Lab
NHS
Context

The MP asked about the Government's plans to impose tougher restrictions on tier 1 areas post-lockdown, given that existing tiers had 'very little effect'.

Question

Testing, backed up by tracing and isolation, is key to avoiding further lockdowns. At the Secretary of State's press conference yesterday, we heard that tier 1 has had “very little effect” and that the tiers must be strengthened. Can he confirm that it is the Government's intention to impose a tougher set of restrictions on tier 1 areas post this lockdown?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

It is too early to do the analysis that the hon. Gentleman requests, but of course, we remain vigilant.

Not addressed: The question was deflected by stating it's premature for an answer.

How: Too Early

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Q5 Jon Ashworth Lab
NHS
Context

The MP highlighted long wait times in NHS care and asked for assurances that the spending review will provide sufficient funding, beds, and capacity to reduce waiting lists.

Question

We will soon be asked to make a decision on the future of the lockdown, so the earlier we get that information, the better. Testing for NHS staff is crucial for dealing with the backlog in NHS care. Last week, we learned that 139,000 people are waiting beyond 12 months for treatment. We now know that 252,000 people are waiting beyond 18 weeks for orthopaedic surgery, which is often hip and knee replacements, and 233,000 patients are waiting beyond 18 weeks for eye surgery—many could go blind. People are waiting longer for gynae surgery and heart valve surgery, and many are languishing on trolleys in dangerously overcrowded A&Es. As well as testing NHS staff, Ministers have promised to give the NHS whatever it takes. Can the Secretary of State guarantee that the spending review will deliver the resources, beds and capacity to bring waiting lists down?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

The good news is that we are managing to continue to drive through the backlog that understandably built up in the first peak. Instead of attacking the NHS, the hon. Gentleman should be backing the NHS and thanking it for the incredible hard work that it is doing right now and will be doing this winter.

Not addressed: The question was not answered; instead, the MP's motives were questioned.

How: Attacking

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