Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to invest in 5G connectivity in the NHS.
Answered by Will Quince
Local health and care organisations determine which advanced wireless telecommunications technology is appropriate for local connectivity requirements. We are ensuring all National Health Service premises have access to gigabit capable connectivity and supporting improvements to Wi-Fi performance. In addition, guidance has been provided to the New Hospitals Programme on optimising new build premises for wireless performance. NHS Digital and NHS England are engaging with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on its overall strategy for the provision of wireless infrastructure, including 5G coverage. NHS Digital has also undertaken research into the benefits of 5G in health and care through sponsoring a trial at the South London and Maudsley Mental Health Trust.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what representations he has received from relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of including a record of the covid-19 booster vaccination on the NHS App; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Maggie Throup
From 1 November 2021 to 30 November 2021, the Department received 1,647 items of correspondence, including representations from stakeholders relating to vaccines. However, to identify those cases which referred to certification of the booster vaccination on the NHS App would incur disproportionate cost.
However, a record of the booster or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination is now available in the NHS App.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the criterion used for the Government's decision to stand down the eight Nightingale Hubs for covid-19 patients.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The overall cost to date of establishing the eight Nightingale hubs is £10,672,088.32.
No decision has been made to stand down the Nightingale hubs. This is being monitored daily by the National Health Service and the capacity will be stood down as and when the situation improves.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the estimated cost is of setting up the eight Nightingale Hubs for covid-19 patients.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The overall cost to date of establishing the eight Nightingale hubs is £10,672,088.32.
No decision has been made to stand down the Nightingale hubs. This is being monitored daily by the National Health Service and the capacity will be stood down as and when the situation improves.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans to introduce further measures to support the reformulation of food and drink products to reduce the content of sugar; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The fourth progress report for the sugar reduction programme will be ready for publication in early 2022. Analytical work is underway of the programmes food categories, drinks subject to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and a second year of progress in juice and milk- based drinks.
There are no current plans to introduce further measures. We will continue to review expert advice and next steps are being considered.