Topical Questions 2020-11-17

2020-11-17

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The MP had previously asked about delaying the clock for those seeking fertility treatments due to pandemic-related delays.
It is now 41 days since I asked the Secretary of State whether he would stop the clock so that no one seeking access to fertility treatment loses out because of delays due to the pandemic. When does he hope that his Department will get around to answering?
The provision of fertility services is happening in the normal way in as many places as possible across England, but it is not happening everywhere because of the huge pressures on the NHS from the second wave of covid. There are now 15,000 people in hospital with covid across the UK.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about stopping the clock was not directly addressed.
Changing Subject To Nhs Pressures
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Jeremy Hunt Con
Godalming and Ash
Context
The MP asked about the independent publication of future NHS workforce projections after nearly two years without them.
Nearly two years on from the NHS 10-year plan, we still do not have the workforce projections published. Can he assure the House that, when they are published, they will be the independent projections and not what the Treasury has negotiated with his Department as part of the spending review?
Over the past year, we have 13,500 more nurses in the NHS than we did a year ago. We are going to have 50,000 more nurses in the NHS by the end of this Parliament.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about independent projections was not directly addressed.
Providing Current Staffing Increases Instead
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Bill Esterson Lab
Sefton Central
Context
The MP inquired about the accuracy of lateral flow tests used in Liverpool's mass testing programme.
Reports suggest very high levels of both false positives and false negatives. Can the Secretary of State tell us what steps he is taking to ensure that the tests being used are indeed accurate?
The lateral flow tests being used in Liverpool have a very high specificity. They measure whether somebody is infectious and have a quick turnaround with a high degree of accuracy regarding whether someone is infectious.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The MP inquired about the status of Yeatman Hospital's minor injuries unit which had been closed for a long time.
My constituents are concerned that the Yeatman Hospital's minor injuries unit has been closed for too long. Will the Secretary of State confirm that it will not be permanently closed, and that it will reopen at the first possible opportunity?
We need to ensure that we get services out into the community, rather than just in the big cities. I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend and to discuss with him how we can strengthen the services that are available across Dorset.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about reopening was not addressed; changed subject entirely.
Changing Subject To Community Service Strengthening
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Paula Barker Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Context
The MP inquired about the role of local government in enforcing national minimum wage legislation for home care workers.
Our home care workers have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. Does the Secretary of State agree that there is a role for local government, as the commissioners of home care services, in strengthening enforcement of national minimum wage legislation?
As a proud supporter of the Conservative Government's introduction of the national living wage, I am a big fan of the pay increases that we have seen for some of the lowest paid people in the country, such as those working in social care including the home care sector.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about local government's role was not directly addressed.
Emphasizing National Living Wage
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Context
The MP expressed gratitude for recent funding to Scunthorpe General Hospital and requested a meeting to discuss further needs.
I am delighted that Scunthorpe General Hospital has received significant funding, which will help with the short to medium-term pressures. When he is able to, will he meet me to discuss a way forward?
My hon. Friend has been a champion for Scunthorpe and for supporting Scunthorpe General Hospital. I am glad that we have been able to make an investment in that hospital, and I am happy to meet her to talk about what more we can do.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Dan Jarvis Lab
Barnsley North
Context
The MP inquired about steps taken to ensure that patients requiring organ transplants can receive them.
NHS Blood and Transplant has recently reported a dramatic reduction in some transplant operations. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that patients who require an organ receive the life-saving operation that they so desperately need?
During the first lockdown there was clearly a slowdown in the number of donations, but more services are available in the second peak of this coronavirus crisis. I look forward to working with him and others to make sure that organ donation is as high as it possibly can be.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about steps taken was not directly addressed; acknowledged past issues but did not commit new actions or timelines.
Referencing Previous Slowdown, Future Intent
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Royal Stoke University Hospital warned about rising levels of obesity in the constituency.
The rising level of obesity is becoming an increasingly serious problem. With nearly one in seven adults considered obese in Stoke-on-Trent Central, does my right hon. Friend agree that tackling rising levels of obesity has never been more important for our public health and should remain a priority for our Government?
Yes, I do, and so does the Prime Minister. We feel very strongly about this.
Assessment & feedback
Specific policy actions or commitments to tackle obesity were not provided
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op
York Central
Context
York's contact tracing work has been effective but needs faster data access to combat the virus.
Will the Secretary of State look at York being a pilot for having immediate access to the data and the resources necessary to get on top of this virus and lock it down?
I am happy to work with the hon. Lady and the director of public health in York, and obviously with NHS Test and Trace, to make sure that the link-up is as effective as possible.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment was made for York being a pilot area
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
Nosocomial spread is high in the NHS and transmission can occur via staff working across hospitals.
Will he give guidance that stops substantive staff working bank, agency and locum shifts in other hospitals, to help reduce transmissions?
I am very happy to look into that idea, while making sure, of course, that we also have the availability of staff, which is critical.
Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment was made on limiting cross-hospital roles for staff
Response accuracy
Q11 Direct Answer
Jamie Stone Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Context
There are concerns about elderly and vulnerable constituents having to travel long distances for the vaccine due to their remote location.
What proposals does he have for England and Wales to take the vaccine to those people who are elderly and vulnerable, and will he share that methodology with the Scottish Government?
Yes, I would be happy to do that. We are proposing roving teams who can get out into rural communities across England.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
Care work is generally low-paid, high-turnover employment. A route into nursing would give more opportunity to progress.
Would the Government consider fast-tracking a specialised training course for care workers seeking to go into nursing?
Yes, I think that is a brilliant idea. Let us work on it together.
Assessment & feedback
No specific details or timeline provided about fast-tracking training courses
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The Secretary of State has secured additional Moderna doses totalling 355 million dosages for the UK.
Does he agree that it is key to putting this virus back in its box, and that it is down to the willingness of the great British public to step forward and to voluntarily have this vaccine?
Yes, that is right. A vaccine will be approved only if it is both effective and safe, so when your ticket comes up, if you are asked to take the vaccine, then I and the whole serious clinical establishment—all of those who understand the vaccines and the value of them —will be urging people right across the country to get it.
Assessment & feedback
No specific plan or commitment to address public willingness
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The Secretary of State made a decision on the location of a new NHS hospital, but there are concerns about it not being in Epsom.
Will he assure me that as the NHS reviews the impact of the pandemic and looks at future capacity needs, he will keep an open mind if that decision needs to be changed?
I appreciate my right hon. Friend's tenacity and doggedness in making the case for Epsom. I am a big supporter of the decision that has been made, and I am afraid, from his point of view, that the final decision on the location of the new hospital—in Sutton—has now been made.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to review decisions was provided
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Mike Wood Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Context
Rising infection rates in Dudley are a concern, but the third UK covid vaccine trial has just launched.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is still early days, so it is vital that all of us continue to play our part in doing everything possible to bring down that infection rate?
Yes. Vaccines could not be approved if there were not volunteers who were willing to take them and play their part.
Assessment & feedback
No specific measures or commitments provided for reducing infection rates beyond vaccine efforts
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Rupa Huq Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Context
A meeting on October 2 discussed the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19, with the PM promising updates two weeks prior. New Zealand has only had 16 deaths in care homes during the pandemic.
The Health Secretary will remember—his hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Steve Double) was there as well—that we had a really good meeting on 2 October about the link between covid and vitamin D. Since then the PM even said, two weeks ago, that good news is on the way. Will the Secretary of State update us on what is happening? The Government are meant to be getting rid of dither and delay.
Yes, we are making progress on that and working on the clinical protocols. I look forward to updating the hon. Lady with more information when a final decision has been made.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any specific updates or timelines regarding vitamin D and COVID-19, only stated progress is being made.
Response accuracy