Written Question
Monday 13th July 2020
Asked by:
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question
to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) undertaken an assessment of the scientific evidence in relation to the effect of lower levels of vitamin D on susceptibility to infection with covid-19.
Answered by Jo Churchill
Public Health England (PHE) commissioned the Scientific Advisory Commission on Nutrition (SACN) to examine new evidence on whether vitamin D supplementation could reduce the risk of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARTIs). SACN’s review concluded that evidence currently does not support vitamin D supplementation to prevent ARTIs in the general United Kingdom population. The review reiterates the importance of vitamin D for bone and muscle health. This can be accessed at the following link:
https://app.box.com/s/g0ldpth1upfd7fw763ew3aqa3c0pyvky
PHE supported National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to review emerging evidence on vitamin D and the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. NICE’s review concluded that there is currently no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk or severity of COVID-19. This can be accessed at the following link:
www.nice.org.uk/advice/es28/evidence/evidence-review-pdf-8777674477
Written Question
Tuesday 23rd June 2020
Asked by:
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question
to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if the Government will publish the reasons for the higher number of deaths from covid-19 among BAME people; and what steps she plans to take to reduce that higher number of deaths.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch
- Leader of HM Official Opposition
On 4 June the Government announced the next steps to address the disparities identified in the Public Health England (PHE) Report. As Minister for Equalities, I will be working with the Race Disparity Unit (RDU) and the Department for Health and Social Care to further understand the drivers of disparities. This includes commissioning further data, research and analytical work by the Equality Hub to clarify the scale, and drivers, of the gaps in evidence highlighted by the Report. This vital work will help the government take appropriate evidence-based action to address the disparities.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Jun 2020
Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown Measures
"Can the Secretary of State advise whether the R number has been rising or has fallen since the Prime Minister announced, without consultation and with a day’s notice, that people should get back to work in England? Given that some reports suggest that some areas of England have an R …..."Neil Gray - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Jun 2020
Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown Measures
"indicated dissent...."Neil Gray - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 12 May 2020
Covid-19
"Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I start by paying tribute to all those who are working on the frontline in the battle against this virus. In my area of Airdrie and Shotts, they are the fantastic staff of NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council and other key workers who have been …..."Neil Gray - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 06 Feb 2020
Acquired Brain Injury
"I commend the hon. Member on bringing this debate to the House, and on the work he has done in this area for some time. He is right to point to some obvious potential ABIs and the lack of knowledge and response. Will he reflect on some areas where there …..."Neil Gray - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 06 Feb 2020
Acquired Brain Injury
"Like the right hon. Gentleman, I declare an interest in view of my past, rather diminished career as a rugby player. Football certainly has a lot to learn from rugby, not least when it comes to what he is saying about the contact area. The enforced absence of a player …..."Neil Gray - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 06 Feb 2020
Acquired Brain Injury
"It is a pleasure to contribute to this debate on behalf of the SNP with you in the Chair, Mr Robertson. I strongly commend the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) for bringing the debate to the House, for his contribution over many years and for the erudite and informed …..."Neil Gray - View Speech
View all Neil Gray (SNP - Airdrie and Shotts) contributions to the debate on: Acquired Brain Injury
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 06 Feb 2020
Acquired Brain Injury
"I thank the Minister for her contribution thus far. It was remiss of me, not just as someone who comes from an armed forces family but as a constituency MP with cases involving constituents who have been medically discharged from the armed forces, not to highlight and focus on the …..."Neil Gray - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 04 Feb 2020
NHS Funding Bill
"My hon. Friend’s secondment to the English Parliament is going rather well so far, although it is rather similar to the UK one. Does it not distil the ridiculousness of the EVEL procedure that we have before us a Bill that clearly impacts on the funding of the NHS in …..."Neil Gray - View Speech
View all Neil Gray (SNP - Airdrie and Shotts) contributions to the debate on: NHS Funding Bill