Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NHS Backlogs

Tuesday 14 June 2022 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We are making good progress on tackling the NHS backlog, having halved the number of patients with the longest waits.
  • Four new community diagnostic centres in Heywood and Middleton have done 60,000 more checks and tests.
  • Evusheld has conditional marketing authorisation from the MHRA, with ongoing tests via the UK Health Science Authority.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Clarkson
NHS
Context

The question was prompted by the ongoing issue of NHS backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Elective care services were significantly disrupted.

Question

What progress has been made on tackling the NHS backlogs in elective care caused by the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Clarkson
NHS
Context

Concerns about the cost of living and ensuring that NHS funds are used effectively.

Question

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.

Answer from Sajid Javid

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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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
NHS
Context

The roll-out of vaccines has not addressed the needs of immunocompromised people who are still shielding.

Question

Can the Secretary of State update the House on where we are on delivering Evusheld, which would allow immunocompromised people to have freedom?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide a clear timeline or specific plan for delivering Evusheld, focusing instead on regulatory processes.

How: Under Review

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Q4 Theresa Villiers Con
NHS
Context

The need to expand NHS capacity by recruiting skilled professionals.

Question

What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure we recruit the skilled professionals needed for the NHS?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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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Q5 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
NHS
Context

High demand for eye care services with more than 632,000 people waiting on NHS lists.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that it is essential to retain funding for the national eye care recovery and transformation programme?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly state whether funding for the programme would be retained or provide a timeline.

How: Under Review

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Q6 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Context

Smoking is a leading cause of cancer, affecting over 2 million people.

Question

Can the Secretary of State assure the House that no tobacco lobbyist will influence the Government's tobacco control plan?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct assurance regarding the influence of tobacco lobbyists on the control plan.

How: All Decisions Made By Ministers

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