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 steps they are taking to promote health and wellbeing nationally.
Answered by Lord Bethell
In summer 2020 Public Health England launched the ‘Better Health’ programme with a television, radio and digital campaign to support the nation to take simple steps to look after their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Better Health is focused on a number of health behaviours including weight loss, physical activity, mental health and quitting smoking. It is targeted at those most at risk. The Better Health programme directs people to evidence-based online apps and tools to support them make and sustain changes to improve their health. This includes the National Health Service 12-week Weight Loss app, Couch to 5K, Mind Plan and Active 10.
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 to make it easier to use volunteers to support the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Answered by Lord Bethell
We are working with the Royal Voluntary Service and St John Ambulance to recruit and train thousands more volunteer vaccinators, who will have all the relevant clinical training, as well as supervision, to ensure they can vaccinate in a way that is safe for patients and for themselves. This includes drawing on the skills of those who have volunteered through the NHS Bring Back Scheme, considering the use of a wider range of medical professionals as well as those currently working outside of the National Health Service.
Ongoing recruitment for both the clinical and non-clinical volunteering roles is via the NHS Volunteer Responder GoodSAM app. Requests for volunteer support for the COVID-19 vaccination programme are being directed through the lead provider in each area.
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 to (1) publicise, and (2) facilitate access to, COVID-19 vaccinations for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The National Health Service is working with Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise partners, inclusion health providers and others to develop an accessible model for delivery of the vaccine to people from communities such as Gypsy, Roma and Traveller. Through the Community Champions Scheme councils and voluntary organisations are delivering a wide range of measures to protect those most at risk - including communicating accurate health information. Champions have been drawn from these communities themselves to share accurate health information with their neighbours, networks and wider community.
Local vaccination services are playing a vital role in reaching vulnerable groups including those who are in the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. These services mobilise general practice, working together in groups of Primary Care Networks plus large and small community pharmacy sites. These services provide the largest number of locations and are well placed to support our highest risk individuals, many of whom already have a trusted relationship with their local health services. They also coordinate and deliver vaccination to people who are unable to attend a vaccination site.
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 steps they are taking to encourage (1) cycling, (2) walking, and (3) other forms of exercise.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The Government has launched ambitious plans to boost cycling and walking, with the aim that half of all journeys in towns and cities are cycled or walked by 2030. There are various programmes to encourage people to walk more, including the Walk to School initiative and Bikeability training available to all school children. Last year, the Government launched the Better Health campaign to encourage a healthier lifestyle, including a free walking app designed to encourage adults to go for a brisk 10-minute walk.
Nearly £4.5 million is being invested in social prescribing which allows general practitioners to refer patients to various activities including working on allotments and dancing classes.
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 steps they are taking to promote healthy eating.
Answered by Lord Bethell
Public Health England (PHE) promotes a healthy balanced diet based on the United Kingdom’s national food model, the Eatwell Guide, through a variety of online channels. PHE has three public-facing campaigns that promote healthy eating: Better Health, Change4Life and Start4Life.
In summer 2020, PHE launched the Better Health marketing campaign. The campaign directs millions of people to a range of free evidence-based tools and advice on how to take simple steps to adopt healthier eating habits and lose weight. For example, the NHS 12 Week Weight Loss Plan app helps people to develop healthier eating habits, get more active and lose weight. The Change4Life and Start4Life campaigns support families with simple healthy eating messaging including recipes and healthy snacks.
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 steps they are taking to establish the National Institute for Health Protection.
Answered by Lord Bethell
Plans are on track to establish the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP) in spring 2021, with staff and systems moving into the new organisation over the following months. The recruitment process for the NIHP Chief Executive and Chair are ongoing and the outcomes will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many COVID-19 tests were processed on each day between 7 and 14 October; and how long did it take to notify individuals of the results of those tests.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The following table shows the number of tests processed on each day between 7 to 14 October 2020:
7 October 2020 | 152,051 |
8 October 2020 | 153,713 |
9 October 2020 | 168,783 |
10 October 2020 | 150,743 |
11 October 2020 | 155,667 |
12 October 2020 | 146,207 |
13 October 2020 | 146,073 |
14 October 2020 | 164,270 |
The following table shows the median time for pillar 2 testing from test to notification from 1 to 14 October 2020:
| 1-7 October 2020 | 8-14 October 2020 |
Regional test sites | 28 hours | 45 hours |
Local test sites | 29 hours | 47 hours |
Mobile testing units | 78 hours | 41 hours |
Home testing kits | 75 hours | 78 hours |
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 to introduce a requirement for all international travellers to quarantine in hotels upon arrival in the UK.
Answered by Lord Bethell
Due to the increased risk of new variants entering the United Kingdom, we are introducing Managed Quarantine Facilities for those arriving from high-risk countries in order to safeguard public health and our vaccine programme.
As we have done throughout this global health emergency, we will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the public and help prevent the spread of the virus. We will keep all our measures under constant 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 steps they are taking to provide additional support for people with mental health problems that have been (1) caused, or (2) exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord Bethell
We published Staying mentally well this winter in November 2020, in an online only format. This sets out the support being made available for people in the winter months. This plan includes advice on wellbeing, information on accessing mental health services, support in communities and support for frontline health and social care workers.
Talking therapies will continue to be made available remotely so people can access help safely from home and the National Health Service will work to ensure the option of face to face support is provided where it is clinically safe to do so. For those with severe needs or in crisis, all NHS mental health providers have established 24 hours a day, seven days a week urgent mental health helplines.
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 steps they are taking to ensure compliance with legal requirements to wear masks to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
Answered by Lord Bethell
We are running a proactive communications campaign on face coverings to alert the public to the places where they now are required to wear a face covering, how to wear one correctly, and who is exempt from wearing one - exemptions for children under the age of 11 and those unable to wear a face covering, due to health, age, equality or disability reasons apply.
While the Government expects the vast majority of people will comply with the rules, as they have done throughout the pandemic, police and Transport for London officers have been given the powers they need to ensure the public comply with the regulations.
The police have been clear that they will follow the four-step escalation principles of engaging, explaining, encouraging, and enforcing, only issuing a fine as a last resort.