Recommendations & Conclusions
7 items
1
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Not Addressed
The pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge to the NHS and the Government. Whilst we have no doubt that often communication to patients was as effective as could reasonably be expected in the context of a pandemic, this was not always the case. As we set out in our letter …
Read more
The pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge to the NHS and the Government. Whilst we have no doubt that often communication to patients was as effective as could reasonably be expected in the context of a pandemic, this was not always the case. As we set out in our letter to Rt Hon Matt Hancock and Sir Simon Stevens on 21 July 2020, the patient experience for some has been unacceptably poor, leaving them feeling like they have been left in “limbo” or “in the lurch”. Unnecessary anxiety and stress has been caused to those patients due to poor communication not just from their local hospital about the scheduling of appointments or access to treatments, but from national bodies, and on key items of guidance such as on shielding. Some sections of the public have been left thinking the NHS is not working on routine non-COVID conditions, this in conjunction with the fear of some patients about going into hospitals where there could be a risk of catching COVID-19, is having a significant impact and needs addressing.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government's response addresses a different recommendation regarding workforce burnout and inclusive recruitment, and does not engage with the committee's conclusion about poor patient communication and anxiety.
Read full response →
Department of Health and Social Care
4
Conclusion
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Not Addressed
We recognise the commitment of policy makers and the NHS leadership to restoring core NHS services and the ongoing efforts to manage the backlog. We are also grateful for the hard work of all staff and the use of innovative methods to support core NHS services during the pandemic, including: …
Read more
We recognise the commitment of policy makers and the NHS leadership to restoring core NHS services and the ongoing efforts to manage the backlog. We are also grateful for the hard work of all staff and the use of innovative methods to support core NHS services during the pandemic, including: the creation of cancer hubs, Urgent Dental Centres and COVID-light facilities. We are concerned, however, that despite such innovations many core health services have been unable to continue or Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond 63 have continued with very limited capacity. In March 2020, Sir Simon Stevens issued an instruction that cancer services should not be stopped, but it is clear that this instruction was not always adhered to.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government's response only reiterates the committee's initial recognition of commitment and gratitude for staff's efforts and innovations, failing to address the expressed concern about core health services operating with limited capacity or instructions not being adhered to.
Read full response →
Department of Health and Social Care
13
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Not Addressed
We accept the advice we have received from many eminent scientists that there is a significant risk that not testing NHS staff routinely could lead to higher levels of nosocomial infections in any second spike. We therefore urge the Government to set out clearly why it is yet to implement …
Read more
We accept the advice we have received from many eminent scientists that there is a significant risk that not testing NHS staff routinely could lead to higher levels of nosocomial infections in any second spike. We therefore urge the Government to set out clearly why it is yet to implement weekly testing of all NHS staff.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about the risks of not routinely testing NHS staff and states that asymptomatic testing is an important protective measure, but does not explain why weekly testing has not been implemented as urged.
Read full response →
Department of Health and Social Care
15
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Not Addressed
We ask that Professor Whitty sets out to what extent testing capacity has impacted the advice he and his colleagues have provided to the Government on routine testing of NHS staff. We further ask Professor Whitty to clarify whether he has advised the Government to introduce routine testing of all …
Read more
We ask that Professor Whitty sets out to what extent testing capacity has impacted the advice he and his colleagues have provided to the Government on routine testing of NHS staff. We further ask Professor Whitty to clarify whether he has advised the Government to introduce routine testing of all NHS staff in the current virus hotspots and if not why. (Paragraph 123) Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond 65
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the concerns regarding routine testing for NHS staff and states its importance as a protective measure, but does not provide the specific information requested about Professor Whitty's advice on testing capacity or routine testing in hotspots.
Read full response →
Department of Health and Social Care
17
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Not Addressed
We recommend that, by the end of October 2020, the Government and NHSE/I set out: i) what current capacity there is for testing all NHS staff, ii) what further capacity (if any) will be required and iii) how long it is likely to take to secure sufficient capacity to offer …
Read more
We recommend that, by the end of October 2020, the Government and NHSE/I set out: i) what current capacity there is for testing all NHS staff, ii) what further capacity (if any) will be required and iii) how long it is likely to take to secure sufficient capacity to offer routine tests to all NHS staff. (Paragraph 125) Issues facing NHS and care staff: fatigue and “burnout” NHS and care workforce wellbeing during the pandemic
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges concerns about routine testing for NHS staff and states its importance as a protective measure, but fails to provide the requested information on current testing capacity, future requirements, or timelines for securing sufficient capacity.
Read full response →
Department of Health and Social Care
21
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Not Addressed
We further recommend that NHSE/I should develop a full and comprehensive definition of “workforce burnout”, and set out how the wellbeing of all NHS staff is being monitored and assessed. This information should be made available to us by the middle of October 2020, to enable us to scrutinise it …
Read more
We further recommend that NHSE/I should develop a full and comprehensive definition of “workforce burnout”, and set out how the wellbeing of all NHS staff is being monitored and assessed. This information should be made available to us by the middle of October 2020, to enable us to scrutinise it in the course of our inquiry into Workforce Burnout and Resilience in the NHS and social care.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses on mitigating psychological pressures, increasing workforce supply, and improving staff retention, without addressing the specific request for a definition of 'workforce burnout' or how staff wellbeing is being monitored and assessed.
Read full response →
Department of Health and Social Care
31
Recommendation
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and…
Not Addressed
We recommend, in addition to our recommendations in Chapter 2, that the Government and NHSE/I clarify what plans there are to continue to use independent bed capacity and other independent resources as the winter period approaches. We further recommend that the Government and NHSE/I set out i) what the current …
Read more
We recommend, in addition to our recommendations in Chapter 2, that the Government and NHSE/I clarify what plans there are to continue to use independent bed capacity and other independent resources as the winter period approaches. We further recommend that the Government and NHSE/I set out i) what the current level of capacity is across all NHS services, ii) what assessment it has made of what additional capacity will be required, in the medium and long term, to ensure the restoration of non-COVID NHS services and iii) what level of capacity it is expecting and planning to retain from the independent sector in the medium and long term. We expect this information by the end of October 2020. (Paragraph 194) Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond 69
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government provides a general statement about maximising treatment capacity and noting prior elective recovery, but does not clarify its plans for independent sector use or provide the specific capacity assessments requested by the committee.
Read full response →
Department of Health and Social Care