Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
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 safeguard patients with (a) dementia and (b) other illnesses in the context of the changing way the NHS is having to treat and correspond with patients as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Gillian Keegan - Secretary of State for Education
During the pandemic, NHS England and NHS Improvement’s guidance to primary care systems stated that a blended approach to appointments should be maintained, using both face to face and remote consultation as per the needs of the patient. This guidance is available at the following link:
We continue to work with stakeholders and health and care system partners to identify and implement actions to support people with dementia and their carers, including modifying dementia diagnosis and care pathways.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether there is a way for hon. Members to contact the Vaccine Data Resolution Service.
Answered by Maggie Throup
If an hon. Member wishes to support a constituent in their engagement with the Vaccine Data Resolution Service (VDRS), they can contact NHS England and NHS Improvement directly with the constituent’s details and proof of consent to act on their behalf.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many outstanding cases there are within the vaccine data resolution service; and what the current average wait time for a response.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
Information on the number of outstanding cases within the Vaccine Data Resolution Service (VDRS) is not held centrally. As of 28 February 2022, the average time for the VRDS to contact individuals following a referral is three days.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government has plans to tackle the refusal by some covid-19 testing companies to provide refunds in the event that problems arise with testing kits.
Answered by Maggie Throup
Those purchasing tests from private providers have access to the full range of consumer rights and as individuals are contracting a private service, we advise customers to report any issues directly to the test provider. If the issue cannot be resolved, the consumer should contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau.
We monitor issues raised by the public, data submitted by providers and reports from regulatory and oversight bodies on providers. we become aware that a provider is not meeting the required minimum standards or that their activities may be putting public safety at risk, we will ask them to take remedial action. We may also remove their listing from GOV.UK. In certain circumstances, we will support regulatory bodies undertaking further investigation of a provider and support any legal actions or interventions.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when vaccines produced and administered in Scotland will be added to the NHS covid pass.
Answered by Maggie Throup
NHS Digital has established live bi-directional data flows between England and Scotland which can demonstrate both vaccine doses on the general practitioner (GP) record and NHS COVID Pass.
Individuals who have had one or both of their primary course vaccines administered in Scotland can access the NHS COVID Pass, provided they are registered with a GP in England or otherwise have a National Health Service number. Individuals who are registered with a GP in Scotland can access the Scottish certification service, which will demonstrate their vaccination status anywhere in the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the availability of conditional test tubes for cancer labs; and if the NHS has now restarted all non-urgent cancer testing.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The supply of consumables used for cancer tests is constantly monitored. Shortages of blood collection tubes were experienced in August and September 2021 due to increased global demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply has now been restored and the National Health Service has restarted all non-urgent cancer testing which may have been impacted.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the proof of the booster jab will be added to the NHS Covid Pass in response to foreign entry requirements requiring evidence of a booster jab.
Answered by Maggie Throup
From 19 November the NHS COVID Pass can be used to demonstrate proof of a booster or third dose for outbound international travel. This is available through the NHS App and NHS.UK.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason passengers entering the UK from overseas cannot use an NHS issued covid-19 lateral flow test.
Answered by Maggie Throup
Free National Health Service tests cannot be used for travel in order to preserve existing lateral flow device testing supplies to protect public health. Since requirements were introduced for international travel testing, the costs have fallen significantly and we are committed to working with the travel industry and private providers to reduce the cost of travel testing further.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the Government is allowing travellers from the USA who have been double vaccinated against covid-19 to enter the UK without quarantining but not those double vaccinated travellers from Canada.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
From 2 August, passengers that have been fully vaccinated with vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency in European countries and Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America have been able to travel to England without quarantine, or a day eight test. Decisions related to this policy are based on the latest risk assessment from the Joint Biosecurity Centre. We are working on expanding the number of people who can enter the United Kingdom more easily, including through engaging with international partners. We will provide an update in due course on how we will approach vaccinated individuals from other countries, including Canada.