Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support local health services and (b) ensure that GP appointments are available and accessible for non-covid patients.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The Government is committed to supporting National Health Service capacity to protect it during surges in COVID-19 cases alongside the increased pressures on the system during winter. We have committed an additional £1 billion to address backlogs and tackle long waiting lists. This is separate from the £3 billion previously announced which has enabled the NHS to have ongoing access to independent sector capacity. As of 18 January, the NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter is providing inpatient services to COVID-19 patients and the NHS Nightingale Hospital North West and the NHS Nightingale Hospital London are providing ‘step-down’ care to non-COVID-19 patients. Other Nightingale sites at Harrogate and Bristol are supporting NHS elective and diagnostic services but are not providing inpatient services.
General practice services remain accessible to non-COVID-19 patients. General practice is open and the NHS continues to urge the public to come forward with any health concerns they have. NHS England and NHS Improvement have issued guidance on the importance of continuing to offer face to face appointments, utilising remote triage and making use of online and telephone consultations where appropriate – whilst considering the needs of those unable to access or engage with digital services. On 7 January 2021 NHS England and NHS Improvement set out further details on the actions to release capacity in general practice as well as priorities for the next quarter. This includes maintaining routine appointments and supporting the clinically extremely vulnerable and those with ‘long’ COVID-19. In November 2020, the Government has committed an additional £150 million to support general practice through a General Practice Covid Capacity Expansion Fund, in addition to the previously announced COVID-19 support fund.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support people with dementia (a) at home and (b) in residential care who are experiencing limited contact with friends and family as a result of covid-19 restrictions.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
We appreciate the particular challenges visiting restrictions pose for people with dementia and for their loved ones.
Under national lockdown, people living in their own home are able to meet one other person outside for exercise, although not in a private garden, and, where applicable, meet inside with people within their support bubble. This applies to people with dementia.
Visits to care homes can continue to take place with arrangements such as outdoor visiting, substantial screens, visiting pods, or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits are not currently allowed. In the event of an outbreak in a care home, the home should immediately stop visiting (except in exceptional circumstances such as end of life) to protect vulnerable residents, staff and visitors.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional support is being made available to help the (a) elderly and (b) people deemed clinically vulnerable who may opt to voluntarily self-shield following Lancashire's move into Tier 3 covid local alert level.
Answered by Jo Churchill
National restrictions began in England from 5 November, which superseded additional guidance linked to the local COVID alert levels. Everyone in England, including those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, is required to follow the national restrictions, which have been set out by the Government and apply to the whole population.
The new information includes additional guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable people, to help protect them from COVID-19. We will also write to individuals with a version of this guidance. These new shielding measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to 2 December. At the end of the period, we will look to return to a regional approach and will issue further guidance at the time.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to (a) help reduce the mortality figures in care homes and (b) ensure that residents receive appropriate treatment and palliative care during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
We are working closely with local authorities, the care sector and NHS England to understand the impact of COVID-19 on care homes and ensure everyone has access to the right care, in the most appropriate setting for their needs. We have provided extensive support and guidance to care homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every death from this virus is a tragedy and we are working around the clock to give the social care sector the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak. The safety of residents and staff is always a priority. On 15 May 2020 we published a care home support package which outlines the next phase of our response for care homes, using the latest domestic and international evidence brought together by Public Health England, and drawing on the insights of care providers. To support this, on 13 May we announced an additional £600 million to support providers through a new Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund.
The adult social care action plan states that end of life care must continue to be planned in a holistic way involving social care, community nursing, general practice, occupational therapy. Provision of end of life care should reflect the individual patient’s needs and preferences, and where and how these can best be met. The Government, with the NHS, has published a new Standard Operating Procedure for the re-use of medicines in care homes and hospices. This will enable easier access to critical the end of life medication in these settings.
This is an unprecedented global pandemic and we will continue to review our guidance and national support in line with the latest scientific advice.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
What steps he is taking to improve NHS facilities.
Answered by Matt Hancock
Government is committed to improving the quality of National Health Service premises including hospitals, primary and community estate and facilities. That is why we have announced the Health Infrastructure Plan – a new, long-term programme of investment in NHS buildings, estates and equipment.