Asked by: Tom Randall (Conservative - Gedling)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of NICE Quality Standard 170 on spondyloarthritis in reducing delays in diagnosis for people with axial spondyloarthritis.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
We have made no such assessment. Quality standards issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and represent best practice for the health and care system. National Health Service organisations and healthcare professionals should take them fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of patients.
Asked by: Tom Randall (Conservative - Gedling)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to implement NICE Quality Standard 170 on spondyloarthritis.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) promotes quality standards and other guidance via its website, newsletters and other media. Whilst providers and commissioners must have regard to NICE quality standards in planning and delivering services, they do not provide a comprehensive service specification and are not mandatory.
Asked by: Tom Randall (Conservative - Gedling)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
What steps his Department is taking to increase Covid-19 testing capacity.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are increasing our testing capacity, both through current swab testing and new, rapid lateral flow tests to cut the spread of COVID-19 nationwide.
The United Kingdom’s daily testing capacity passed 500,000 on 31 October. Testing capacity in the UK across all pillars between 29 October and 4 November was at 4,367,049 tests - an increase of 21% compared to the previous week.