Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the findings by the JCVI that people on the Learning Disabilities Register are at increased risk of mortality from covid-19, if he will request a reassessment of this group’s eligibility for a fourth vaccine dose.
Answered by Maggie Throup
On 21 February 2022, the Government accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer an additional spring booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to those most vulnerable in the population as a precautionary measure. At that time, the JCVI did not recommend a further dose for those with learning disabilities, unless they were included in an existing eligible cohort.
On 19 May 2022, the JCVI) published interim advice on an autumn COVID-19 booster programme. The JCVI’s current advice suggests that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to residents in a care home for older adults and staff; frontline health and social care workers; all those 65 years old and over; and adults aged 16 to 64 years old in a clinical risk group. The JCVI will continue to review the vaccination programme and the epidemiological situation, particularly in relation to the timing and value of doses for less vulnerable older adults and those in clinical risk groups, including people with learning disabilities before autumn 2022. The Government will consider the JCVI’s final recommendations later this year.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
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 impact of decision not to offer antiviral medication to patients with severe learning disabilities or brain damage and currently excluded from the list of those at highest risk from covid-19.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The current clinical access policy for COVID-19 antiviral treatments provides direct access to patients at high risk due to a weakened immune system. Patients with learning difficulties or brain damage were not identified as eligible on these grounds and it is currently unclear what the benefits would be for this group of patients.
The PANORAMIC study is currently recruiting patients for antiviral therapy in the community with a wider eligibility criteria. This study will inform future policy determining which patients would be most suitable for antiviral therapy in the community, including possible expansion of the existing eligible groups.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of Statutory Sick Pay for (a) full- and (b) part-time staff working in the care sector in the context of continued requirements for staff who test positive for covid-19 to self-isolate.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
The majority of staff working in the social care sector, either full-time or-part time, are employed by private sector providers which determine their pay and terms and conditions of employment. Statutory Sick Pay is available to those who are infected with COVID-19 and are unable to work, payable after four days. It is paid at £99.35 per week and is available across all sectors to those who earn more than £123 a week on average.
Social care staff who test positive for COVID-19 are expected to self-isolate to protect those they care for. All providers should support good health and safety practice, as for other risks and individual employers should determine how to ensure staff stay away from the workplace when there would be a health risk to those in their care. Social care staff have access to free lateral flow device tests and can return to work after receiving two negative tests.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what system his Department has in place to help ensure that NHS trusts reimburse patients who dialyse at home for the cost of the energy required to run their dialysis machines.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
For adult home dialysis, NHS England do not reimburse patients directly. Patients’ additional direct utility costs, which may include electricity, water, gas and telephone, are met through the payment of the national tariff to providers, which provide reimbursement to the individual. The costs reimbursed should be based on documentary evidence, such as copies of utility bills before and after the specialised equipment was introduced. The costs should be agreed between the provider and the individual patient.
For paediatric home haemodialysis, there is currently no national tariff and as such, it is at the discretion of individual providers as to whether they reimburse additional direct utility costs for patients.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy monitors the energy market in the United Kingdom to ensure it meets the need of all consumers, including those receiving medical treatment at home.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of Statutory Sick Pay for (a) full- and (b) part-time staff working in the care sector in the context of continued requirements for staff who test positive for covid-19 to self-isolate.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
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 allowing fourth dose of Coronavirus vaccines to be made available to those with severe physical and/or learning disabilities who have diminished or no capacity to exercise their own judgment.
Answered by Maggie Throup
On 21 February 2022, the Government accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on offering a further dose as a precautionary measure for those at most at risk of severe disease. As a result, a ‘spring dose’ is being offered to all adults aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults and individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed. The JCVI has not specifically recommended a further dose for those with severe physical and/or learning disabilities, unless they are eligible in these patient cohorts.
If an adult has been assessed as lacking capacity to make their own decisions about vaccination, it may be possible to proceed with immunisation under the principle of acting in their ‘best interests’. Healthcare workers considering immunising under a ‘best interests’ decision have a statutory duty to follow the Code of Practice and checklist set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to take further steps to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
We are working with the British Dental Association to reform the NHS dental contract to make it more attractive to the profession. Health Education England set out a range of recommendations in their Advancing Dental Care Review, which will improve recruitment and retention of dentists and other professionals. Action is being taken to implement these through their Dental Education Reform Programme. We are also working to allow greater flexibility to expand on the registration options open to international dentistry applicants.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of whether there is an HRT medical supplies shortage.
Answered by Edward Argar
The Department is aware of supply issues affecting a very limited number of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products. However, most products, including alternatives to those experiencing supply issues. remain available. We continue to work with all suppliers of HRT medicines to maintain overall supply to patients and share regular updates with the National Health Service and the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists.
Asked by: Anne Marie Morris (Conservative - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to make a decision on the future of Teignmouth Hospital.
Answered by Edward Argar
The Independent Reconfiguration Panel provided their advice on this case on 23 December 2021. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has considered the Panel’s advice and will issue a decision shortly.