Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Hospital Admissions

Tuesday 18 January 2022 · 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 4 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department developed a programme using boosters, testing, and antivirals to reduce covid-19 hospital admissions.
  • Official analysis shows case fatality rates for the over-80s are more than five times higher in unvaccinated individuals compared to those with at least two doses.
  • Government plans an 8 billion catch-up fund over three years to address the backlog of elective procedures cancelled due to the pandemic.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lia Nici
NHS
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.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of covid-19 hospital admissions.

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Answered
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Q2 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
NHS
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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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Q3 Lia Nici
NHS
Context

The question is prompted by a constituent's inability to see their spouse of 65 years in hospital after intervention from the MP.

Question

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?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The concern is over women waiting an average of seven and a half years for diagnosis, leading to hospital admissions for routine treatments.

Question

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?

Answer from Sajid Javid

The women's health strategy will focus on endometriosis. Within that, we have set out how we can work together to do more.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details of specific actions or timelines not provided beyond stating it is important and mentioned in the women's health strategy.

How: Focus On

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Q5 Daisy Cooper Lib Dem St Albans
NHS
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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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