Recommendations & Conclusions
12 items
8
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We further conclude that the delivery of dental services in England has been significantly hindered by the pandemic. This has been largely due to the need to protect both patients and staff from COVID-19 which has, in turn, presented financial challenges to both NHS and private dental practices. We welcome …
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We further conclude that the delivery of dental services in England has been significantly hindered by the pandemic. This has been largely due to the need to protect both patients and staff from COVID-19 which has, in turn, presented financial challenges to both NHS and private dental practices. We welcome NHSE/ I’s continued efforts to support the restoration of dentistry services in England.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the pandemic's impact on dental services and is working to increase service levels, noting updated guidance allows reduced room resting time. They are also exploring future use of Point of Care testing to increase patient throughput, but this is in early stages.
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Department of Health and Social Care
11
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We request an update from the Department of Health & Social Care by the end of November 2020 on what steps are being taken to ensure that there is a consistent and reliable supply of appropriately fitting PPE to all NHS staff in advance of the onset of winter and …
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We request an update from the Department of Health & Social Care by the end of November 2020 on what steps are being taken to ensure that there is a consistent and reliable supply of appropriately fitting PPE to all NHS staff in advance of the onset of winter and a potential second wave. (Paragraph 87) Routine testing of all NHS and care staff
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Government response AI summary
The government is confident in a consistent PPE supply for winter, citing 32 billion items on order and a 4-month strategic stockpile. They are committed to addressing fitting difficulties by understanding user needs and incorporating feedback, especially for face masks.
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Department of Health and Social Care
12
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We are grateful to Professor Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Officer) and his expert colleagues for their continued and constructive engagement with our work. We also recognise that the Government, following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and others, has taken a considered approach to implementing the SIREN study. We …
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We are grateful to Professor Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Officer) and his expert colleagues for their continued and constructive engagement with our work. We also recognise that the Government, following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and others, has taken a considered approach to implementing the SIREN study. We note that the Government aims to utilise the SIREN study to better inform the frequency at which, and under what circumstances, the testing of NHS staff for coronavirus ought to take place.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's gratitude to Professor Whitty and reiterates its intention to use the SIREN study to inform the frequency and circumstances of NHS staff coronavirus testing.
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Department of Health and Social Care
14
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We note that Professor Chris Whitty has said that the testing of asymptomatic staff may be necessary in the future and that if there is a “surge in winter” of coronavirus cases then he would be likely to advise that routine testing of NHS staff should take place. However, we …
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We note that Professor Chris Whitty has said that the testing of asymptomatic staff may be necessary in the future and that if there is a “surge in winter” of coronavirus cases then he would be likely to advise that routine testing of NHS staff should take place. However, we are concerned that contrary to this advice, routine testing of asymptomatic NHS staff appears not to have been introduced where the virus is already surging in the North East and the North West, perhaps due to capacity constraints.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the Committee's concerns regarding routine asymptomatic testing of NHS staff and acknowledges its importance as a protective measure for staff, patients, and visitors from COVID-19 infection.
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Department of Health and Social Care
16
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We conclude that the case for routine testing of all NHS staff in all parts of the country (including clinical staff as well as cleaners, porters and so forth) is compelling and should be introduced as quickly as capacity allows and before the winter-flu season begins. Those who—either directly or …
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We conclude that the case for routine testing of all NHS staff in all parts of the country (including clinical staff as well as cleaners, porters and so forth) is compelling and should be introduced as quickly as capacity allows and before the winter-flu season begins. Those who—either directly or indirectly—provide treatment to patients should not be put at any further unnecessary risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. We urge that steps be taken to expand capacity rapidly to make this possible.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises the committee's concerns and acknowledges that routine asymptomatic testing is an important component of protecting NHS staff and patients, but does not commit to introducing it rapidly or expanding capacity as recommended.
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Department of Health and Social Care
19
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We are grateful for NHSE/I’s continued support of NHS staff and welcome the further measures set out in the People Plan (July 2020) for the 2020–21 period. In particular, we welcome the important and ambitious measures set out in the People Plan which show a clear desire to address workforce …
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We are grateful for NHSE/I’s continued support of NHS staff and welcome the further measures set out in the People Plan (July 2020) for the 2020–21 period. In particular, we welcome the important and ambitious measures set out in the People Plan which show a clear desire to address workforce fatigue and provide mental health support to NHS staff. However, given the pressures on recruitment and retention of staff, we are concerned that the People Plan does not set out future workforce recruitment objectives, therefore failing to address one of the biggest concerns that many staff have, namely whether there will be enough of them to give high quality care to patients. We also believe more must be done to support the mental wellbeing of staff. Helplines, apps, webinars and managerial training will all be of value but with many members of staff facing much more severe and sustained pressures on their mental health, more substantive action will need to be taken to support the wellbeing of staff, particularly before the busy winter period. We note that the People Plan states further announcements will be made once the Government has confirmed funding arrangements for the NHS.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need to mitigate the psychological impact of pressures on staff and to increase workforce supply and improve retention, promising to provide further details on these efforts in another section of the letter.
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Department of Health and Social Care
20
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We recommend that NHSE/I set out in detail what further specific steps it would like to take over the coming years to support the mental and physical wellbeing of all staff and a plan to deal with the specific issue of sustained workplace pressure due to the current pandemic and …
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We recommend that NHSE/I set out in detail what further specific steps it would like to take over the coming years to support the mental and physical wellbeing of all staff and a plan to deal with the specific issue of sustained workplace pressure due to the current pandemic and backlog associated with the coronavirus. This information should be made available to us in advance of any forthcoming Government spending announcements or by the end of October 2020 (whichever is earlier) in order for 66 Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond us to clarify what NHSE/I’s priorities for NHS staff are, and to judge how far the Government’s eventual spending commitments enable their implementation.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of mitigating psychological pressures and continuing to increase workforce supply and retention, stating that measures have been outlined and promising further details in another section of the letter, but does not commit to setting out a specific plan to the …
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Department of Health and Social Care
23
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
The NHS is founded on the principle of equality and is one of the most diverse and inclusive organisations in the UK. It hugely benefits from the diversity of its staff as in turn so does the nation. In recent months, there has been a much-needed focus on supporting NHS …
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The NHS is founded on the principle of equality and is one of the most diverse and inclusive organisations in the UK. It hugely benefits from the diversity of its staff as in turn so does the nation. In recent months, there has been a much-needed focus on supporting NHS staff from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background (BAME). COVID-19 has, regrettably, disproportionately harmed and resulted in excess BAME deaths. We welcome the introduction of risk assessments and other initiatives, as set out by Professor Steve Powis, which are being implemented to protect BAME NHS staff from the risk of catching coronavirus.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's comments by outlining its approach to eradicating racism and discrimination, which aligns with legal definitions from the Equalities Act 2010 and Race Relations Act 1976, stating that its work in this area is multi-faceted.
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Department of Health and Social Care
24
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We have also heard that some BAME NHS staff face discrimination and racism in the NHS and that, across the NHS, the levels of diversity must be improved. We accept Sir Simon Stevens’ comments that “there are systemic features to discrimination and racism, and the NHS is both part of …
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We have also heard that some BAME NHS staff face discrimination and racism in the NHS and that, across the NHS, the levels of diversity must be improved. We accept Sir Simon Stevens’ comments that “there are systemic features to discrimination and racism, and the NHS is both part of the problem and part of the solution”. Nonetheless, it is unacceptable that any BAME NHS employee should face discrimination, harassment or racism when working for the NHS. It is clear that more must be done to ensure that all NHS staff—regardless of their race, ethnicity or cultural heritage—feel safe, confident and proud to work for the NHS.
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Government response AI summary
The government aligns its definition of racism and discrimination with the Race Relations Act 1976 and Equalities Act 2010, confirming their approach to addressing the issues of discrimination faced by BAME NHS staff.
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Department of Health and Social Care
27
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We welcome the news that the Government and NHSE/I are piloting a ‘111 dial first’ scheme to support the triaging of patients before they attend A&E departments. The introduction of an expectation that a patient will call first before walking into an A&E department is a sensible change to support …
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We welcome the news that the Government and NHSE/I are piloting a ‘111 dial first’ scheme to support the triaging of patients before they attend A&E departments. The introduction of an expectation that a patient will call first before walking into an A&E department is a sensible change to support A&E departments during the pandemic, and has much to commend it as a long-term reform. We recommend that the Department and NHSE/I provide us with an update by the end of November 2020 on the progress of these pilots and other steps that are being taken, in both the short and long-term, to support A&E departments. (Paragraph 170) Technology and digital alternatives (“telemedicine”)
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes support for the ‘111 dial first’ scheme and states that pilots are being monitored and evaluated to inform wider rollout, but does not provide the requested update or specific plans for A&E departments.
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Department of Health and Social Care
28
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We welcome the support of the Secretary of State and the Chief Executive of NHSE/I for technological innovation in the NHS. The use of technology and digital alternatives (“telemedicine”), although it has had a mixed response from some patients and medical practitioners, shows that the NHS is innovating. We also …
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We welcome the support of the Secretary of State and the Chief Executive of NHSE/I for technological innovation in the NHS. The use of technology and digital alternatives (“telemedicine”), although it has had a mixed response from some patients and medical practitioners, shows that the NHS is innovating. We also welcome the wider deployment of technology which has helped to improve productivity across the healthcare system. Although the use of technology has been much-needed and largely worked in supporting the delivery of health and care services, there is nevertheless a risk that many individuals in need of medical advice or treatment will be digitally excluded. Therefore, in order to ensure telemedicine benefits all patients equally, a clearer and more comprehensive assessment is required to ensure that technology does not replace key elements of health services (such as face-to- face consultations) or disadvantage other groups, and to also ensure the benefits of telemedicine can be maintained and built-upon. Parts of the NHS have also explored new options for the delivery of care, trialling new pathways for treatment. These hold real promise for future NHS productivity. It is vital that successful examples of innovation in models of service delivery during the pandemic are brought forward, alongside technological and digital innovation.
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the committee's support for technological innovation and is committed to supporting wider technology deployment, but does not address the call for a comprehensive assessment of digital exclusion risks or methods to bring forward successful innovations.
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Department of Health and Social Care
30
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Acknowledged
We commend the efforts of the Government, NHSE/I and the independent sector for stepping up and securing independent sector capacity (i.e. beds, staff and facilities) which has been crucial to supporting the NHS during the pandemic. It is clear that such independent sector capacity will be needed over the coming …
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We commend the efforts of the Government, NHSE/I and the independent sector for stepping up and securing independent sector capacity (i.e. beds, staff and facilities) which has been crucial to supporting the NHS during the pandemic. It is clear that such independent sector capacity will be needed over the coming months as the restoration of core healthcare services is prioritised, particularly over the winter period.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that independent sector capacity will be needed and states it has secured this capacity through agreements to ensure the NHS can meet patient demand.
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Department of Health and Social Care