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Covid-19: Deteriorating Long-Term Health Conditions

10 March 2022

Lead MP

Bob Neill
Bromley and Chislehurst
Con

Responding Minister

Gillian Keegan

Tags

Justice & CourtsNHSTaxationMental HealthLocal Government
Word Count: 12997
Other Contributors: 7

At a Glance

Bob Neill raised concerns about covid-19: deteriorating long-term health conditions in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

Mr Neill calls for an urgent plan with funding and specific measures to address the issues faced by people with long-term health conditions. He asks the Government to provide a national rehabilitation strategy, appoint a national clinical lead, and ensure consistent provision of community rehabilitation services.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Bromley and Chislehurst
Opened the debate
Mr Neill is concerned about the deterioration in people with long-term health conditions during the covid-19 pandemic. He highlights issues such as cancelled or delayed appointments, reduced specialist support, and difficulties for those relying on community rehabilitation services. The debate focuses on stroke, cardiovascular conditions, neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis, each of which has faced unique challenges due to the pandemic's restrictions.

Government Response

Gillian Keegan
Government Response
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Sir Robert Neill) for raising this very important issue, and for his proud advocacy for patients with many different long-term conditions who rely on NHS services, particularly those who have had a stroke. I extend my best wishes to my hon. Friend's wife, Ann-Louise, who I am sure informed much of his powerful speech. Many of the experiences we have heard about will resonate with many of us. I want to reassure all hon. Members that we remain committed to making sure that everyone has access to the care and support that they need and deserve. We know we have to catch up after the impact of the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, we have worked to maintain access to health services in what has been an extremely challenging environment, but we recognise that getting that support at the right time is vital for people's health. That is why we protected priority services across England during the pandemic, which included rehabilitation and post-acute services, for people who had survived a stroke, and their families and carers. NHS England and Improvement supported people with long-term conditions by providing safe and person-centred assessments and diagnosis via remote methods or in face-to-face consultations when appropriate. Providers innovated and rolled out remote consultations using video, telephone, email and text message services, and health services implemented new models of care with effective triage processes to make sure that patients received the care appropriate to them and in outpatient settings closer to home. Clinical teams used and will continue to use virtual rehabilitation services alongside face-to-face contact to ensure that every patient gets the treatment and support that they need. Almost half of stroke survivors have received virtual care since the pandemic began, transforming their experience of the health system. Over 80% reported positive or very positive experiences. We are investing in a mental health recovery action plan which will help us to provide more appointments which, sadly, were missed during the pandemic and that will help us catch up. The NHS is committed to delivering personalised, needs-based stroke rehabilitation to every stroke survivor who needs it. Over £3.3 million has been dedicated to the establishment and ongoing delivery of integrated stroke delivery networks across England. Looking ahead, the NHS published its delivery plan for tackling the covid-19 backlog of elective care last month. The plan sets out a clear vision for how the NHS will recover and expand elective services over the next three years, including how it will support patients. We plan to spend more than £8 billion between the next financial year and 2024-25. I mentioned the work that Jenny Keane will be doing following her recent appointment. She will be responsible for work on rehabilitation and discharges, as well as other areas covered by NHS continuing healthcare and the better care fund. That work is ongoing but does not include a specific commitment at this point to a strategy, as outlined.
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.