Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 21
The pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge to the NHS and the Government.
Conclusion
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.
Government response summary AI-generated
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.
Paragraph Reference:
21
Government Response
The government responded to this report on 15 January 2021. No passage in that response could be matched to this conclusion. Read the response document ↗