Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance she is issuing to public health officers to take into account a person’s wellbeing and personal requirements under schedule 20 of the Coronavirus Bill.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to public health officers will include guidance on wellbeing and personal circumstances. However, public health officers are trained in taking into account a person’s wellbeing. This will be no different for responding to someone suspected of having COVID-19.
The guidance to public health officers (PHOs) will set out that a PHO should give particular consideration to the needs of people with protected characteristics for example, the needs of children, the elderly, those with disabilities, those with existing medical conditions, those with mental health conditions, those who are pregnant, those who may not speak English, and any other groups on whom the impact of those requirements might be greater than would otherwise be the case. For example, individuals with mobility needs may need to be provided with appropriate accommodation and adjustments made if they are to be placed into supported isolation.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reasons the Government guidance that over-70s are at increased risk of severe illness from covid-19 differs to the World Health Organisation guidance that identifies over-60s as at increased risk from that disease.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The international data shows that the hospitalisation rate is greatest in the vulnerable, including those aged 70 and older. Asking this group to be most stringent with social distancing is important for reducing the pressure on intensive care beds. The United Kingdom policy in this regard is based on a review of the scientific evidence by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies which is available at the following link:
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what restrictions she plans to place on a person’s (a) movements or travel, (b) activities and (c) contact with others after assessment for covid-19.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
On Monday 23 March, new COVID-19 measures came into effect in the United Kingdom. These measures have reduced day-to-day contact with other people in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The new measures include the following:
- Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes;
- Closing of certain businesses and venues; and
- Stopping of all gatherings of more than two people in public.
Individuals suspected of having COVID-19, who live alone, are required to stay at home for seven days from when the symptoms began. After the seven day period, if the individual no longer has a high temperature, they do not need to continue to self-isolate. Every citizen is instructed to comply with these all of new measures.
Further information can be found online at the following links:
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what methods of screening for covid-19 infection are to be used under schedule 20 of the Coronavirus Bill.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
Screening may include requiring an individual to answer questions about their health or other relevant circumstances; produce supporting health documents; allow biological samples to be taken; and to provide suitable tracing information. Only those screening requirements which are deemed as necessary and proportionate will be used.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria will be used to determine the adequacy of assessment facility conditions for screening people for covid-19 infection under schedule 20 of the Coronavirus Bill.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
Assessment facilities will be determined as adequate if there is availability of staff with the clinical expertise to take samples and/or medical history; staff have the relevant protective equipment; they are able to safely take biological samples; and the facility is cleaned appropriately.
A Public Health Officer will advise on what can be considered as a suitable facility including for those who are unable to self-isolate at home and will work with relevant authorities to ensure this.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria will be used to determine reasonable grounds for suspecting a person is potentially infected with covid-19 under the provisions on screening and assessment in schedule 20 of the Coronavirus Bill.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
An individual will be deemed as being potentially infected with COVID-19 if they display symptoms associated with COVID-19; have travelled from a country which is considered high risk; or have come into close contact with anyone known or believed to have COVID-19.
In assessing whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect an individual may be infected, constables and immigration officers will have regard to public health guidance and, where practicable, consult public health officers to determine if it is necessary and proportionate to require that the individual undergo screening and assessment.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to maintain medical and drug supplies to the UK in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
As part of a responsible Government, the Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for European Union exit. We want to reassure patients that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products remains uninterrupted when we leave the EU on 31 October.
The Department is implementing a multi-layered approach, which consists of stockpiling where possible, securing freight capacity, changing or clarifying regulatory requirements, procuring additional warehousing, working closely with industry to improve trader readiness and putting in place the National Supply Disruption Response to manage potential shortages.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make a comparative assessment of the gender split of carers in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The 2011 census showed that in the United Kingdom approximately 42% of carers were men and 58% were women.
The 2016/17 Survey of Adult Carers in England showed that in England approximately 33% of carers were male and 67% of carers were female.
The gender split of carers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is not held centrally.