Covid-19 Health and Social Care Workforce 2021-02-23
2021-02-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP asked about the steps being taken to support workers in health and social care amidst the pandemic.
What steps his Department is taking to support the health and social care workforce during the covid-19 outbreak.
Our health and social care workers have been simply extraordinary during the pandemic, caring for people in the most challenging circumstances. We are recruiting extra staff and we are on track to have 50,000 more nurses in the NHS. We are funding things that help when working long hours, we are funding social care providers to provide full pay for staff who are isolating, and we have put in place a package of mental support for health and social care staff.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned the government's handling of information about vitamin D and other drugs like hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic.
At what stage did the Secretary of State and his officials become aware that vitamin D helped to fight covid symptoms for certain sections of our society, for how long was this information suppressed or ignored, what steps have subsequently been taken to take appropriate action, and what other drugs have also not been fully utilised so far, such as hydroxychloroquine?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published a guideline on vitamin D for covid in December. Its expert panel supported current Government advice to take vitamin D supplements through the autumn and winter. However, there is insufficient evidence that taking vitamin D mitigates effects of covid-19. Hydroxychloroquine is not recommended or authorised for the treatment of covid outside of trials.
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Assessment & feedback
Timeline of awareness about vitamin D's role and whether information was suppressed or ignored.
Under Review
Response accuracy