Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the devolved administrations on public health measures related to COVID-19; and what plans they have to publish the minutes of such discussions.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The Government has regular discussions with the devolved administrations on public health measures related to COVID-19. The UK Health Security Agency and other Government Departments work to ensure a coordinated approach. We are unable to provide the minutes of specific discussions as it relates to the development of Government policy. The Department will continue to publish information online on its engagement with the devolved administrations through the Government’s quarterly reports on inter-governmental relations in line with transparency commitments.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat of tuberculosis to human health (1) in England, and (2) globally.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The UK Health Security Agency reports tuberculosis (TB) cases on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis for people resident in England or are treated in England and are homeless or visiting from abroad. In England, the incidence of TB fell significantly since 2011. While cases increased in 2019, a further decrease in 2020 was impacted by the disruption to services and diagnoses caused by the pandemic. Currently, cases numbers are approximately 4,000 per year with the highest rates concentrated in large urban areas.
In 2020, the World Health Organization noted an increase in deaths from TB globally between 2019 and 2020, an 18% decline in the reported number of people newly diagnosed in 2019 and a decline in treatment coverage to 59% in 2020. This disruption was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and a fall in global spending on TB.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Office for National Statistics' COVID-19 infection survey, and of its continuing utility.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The Government will continue monitoring the virus through maintaining surveillance studies such as the Office for National Statistics’ COVID-19 infection survey and other data sources, including genomic sequencing. The Government will keep all surveillance activities under review.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the public health benefits of wearing a face mask on public transport.
Answered by Lord Kamall
Face coverings are effective at reducing transmission in enclosed and crowded spaces, such as public transport and can reduce the risk of spreading infection when covering the nose and mouth. The UK Health Security Agency’s research suggested that all types of face coverings were effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, the Scientific Advice Group for Emergencies found that face coverings are likely to reduce transmission through all routes, by partially reducing emissions of and/or exposures to the full range of aerosol and droplets which carry the virus.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of declining immunity to COVID-19 in the population; and what steps they are taking to continue vaccination against COVID-19 in response to any such assessment.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The UK Health Security Agency regularly reviews data on vaccine effectiveness, including declining immunity to COVID-19. Recent data suggests that vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease with the Omicron variant is substantially lower than against the Delta variant, with rapid waning of immunity over time. However, protection against hospitalisation remains high, particularly after three doses. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) continues to review the data and will advise the Government if they observe indications in the data of changes that could be addressed by adjustments to the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The COVID-19 vaccination programme has agreed three key priorities: continued access to first, second and booster or third doses; delivery of an autumn COVID-19 vaccination campaign if advised by the JCVI; and development of detailed contingency plans to rapidly increase capacity, if required. The National Health Service continues to campaign to encourage people to come forward for COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly targeting those sections of community where we know there has been low take up for example in pregnant women and some ethnic groups.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of eating disorders; and what plans they have to increase resources to treat them.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The number of children and young people entering urgent treatment for an eating disorder increased by 73% in 2020/21, compared to 2019/20. The Health Survey England 2019 showed that 16% of adults aged over 16 years old screened positive for a possible eating disorder.
We are investing approximately £1 billion in community mental health care for adults with severe mental illness by 2023/24. This will allow 370,000 adults with severe mental illnesses, including eating disorders, greater choice and control over their care and support them to live well in their communities.
Since 2016, investment in children and young people's community eating disorder services has increased each year, with an additional £53 million per year from 2021/22. This will enhance the capacity of the 70 new or improved community eating disorder teams. Additional funding has been provided this year for adult and children and young people’s eating disorder services through the £500 million Mental Health Recovery Action Plan.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of medical training for the treatment of eating disorders.
Answered by Lord Kamall
No specific assessment has been made.
However, the Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with Health Education England to improve training for general practitioners and with the General Medical Council to ensure eating disorders are included amongst outcome measures for newly qualified clinicians.
NHS England and NHS Improvement and Health Education England are also working with partners to procure training courses to increase the capacity of the existing workforce to provide evidence-based treatment.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what asssessment they have made of the levels of the availability of lateral flow tests from 1 April either (1) through the NHS, or (2) commercially.
Answered by Lord Kamall
We are confident there will continue to be sufficient tests available through the National Health Service from 1 April 2022. We will provide further details on eligible groups in due course. The Government is engaging with retailers to support the development of a strong private market for testing to ensure that tests are widely available for the public to buy.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the importance of vaccinating children aged three and above against COVID-19; and what steps they have taken as a result of that assessment.
Answered by Lord Kamall
No specific assessment has been made, as there is currently no COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the United Kingdom for usage in children in this age group.
Should the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency authorise a COVID-19 vaccine for use in the UK in children aged under five years old, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation may be asked for its clinical and scientific advice on prioritisation and deployment at a population level.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have along with the private sector to ensure that lateral flow tests will be available throughout the country at a reasonable price from 1 April.
Answered by Lord Kamall
Manufacturers and retailers should have autonomy to set pricing for the sale of lateral flow device (LFD) tests, as well as pack sizes. However, the Government will ensure that private testing is a properly regulated market, as with any other healthcare product, including ensuring that the price of tests is not inappropriately high for consumers.