Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Non-covid-19 Healthcare Treatment

Tuesday 17 November 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government supporting NHS to restore elective services for non-covid patients with additional funding of 2.9 billion.
  • NHS hospitals are conducting over 1 million routine appointments and operations weekly.
  • Government acknowledges learning from the first wave and increasing capacity for cancer services in the second wave.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of the ongoing covid-19 pressures on non-covid health services.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the provision of non-covid-19 healthcare treatment, given concerns over patient backlog due to ongoing pandemic?

Answer from Edward Argar

The Government are supporting the NHS's ambition to continue restoring elective services for non-covid patients, recognising pressures from covid-19 infection control. September statistics show services restored to about 80% of last year's levels with £2.9 billion additional funding made available from October.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions/initiatives beyond funding were not detailed.

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Q2 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the increasing backlog of non-covid-related treatments due to the ongoing difficulties faced by NHS because of covid-19.

Question

Given the difficulties faced by the NHS because of covid-19, what considerations are being given to additional initiatives or management of existing resources to address patient demand and break the backlog of non-covid-related treatments?

Answer from Edward Argar

The NHS is working hard to maintain elective activity with extra funding, as shown in published September data. Hospitals are carrying out more than 1 million routine appointments and operations weekly, with many hospitals innovating such as Buckinghamshire's bespoke cataract units.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific innovative initiatives beyond general statements were not detailed.

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Q3 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the fear among patients in Broadland due to the first lockdown, which led many not to seek treatment.

Question

One adverse consequence of the first lockdown was that many people failed to seek treatment because they were afraid of the virus. Does my hon. Friend agree that the people of Broadland should continue to seek medical assistance when needed, confident in a covid-safe and effective manner?

Answer from Edward Argar

I share my hon. Friend's fulsome praise of the staff at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital who have worked magnificently throughout the pandemic, agreeing that anyone needing medical help should continue seeking it in a safe and effective manner.

Not addressed: No specific measures or commitments were given to encourage patients.

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Q4 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the backlog in cancer care from both waves of the pandemic, especially for vulnerable patients.

Question

We are dealing with a backlog from the first wave and now hearing treatments being cancelled during the second wave. What will the Government do differently to restore cancer services?

Answer from Edward Argar

We have learned a huge amount over the past months, increasing hospital capacity which enables continuing far more surgery and treatments than in the first wave. Specific incidents of urgent care cancellation can be raised for further discussion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions beyond general learning were not detailed.

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