Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Second Report - Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond
Health and Social Care Committee
HC 320
Published 1 October 2020
Government response
Second Special Report - Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report of Session 2019–21 · published 15 Jan 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
2
Recommendation
Accepted
Notwithstanding the actions taken to date, we recommend that NHS England & Improvement review, as...
Recommendation
Notwithstanding the actions taken to date, we recommend that NHS England & Improvement review, as a matter of priority, the directions given to NHS Trusts about how to communicate with patients about the progress of their treatment and important medical …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognizes the importance of effective communication and dignity, stating that existing NHS Standard Contracts mandate this and NHSE/I will reinforce these requirements. It notes ongoing work with patient groups to develop resources, but does not explicitly commit to the recommended priority review, assessment, or specific update to the committee by October 2020.
Department of Health and Social Care
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3
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 62
The pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on the delivery of core NHS and care...
Conclusion
The pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on the delivery of core NHS and care services. This has resulted in the delay, suspension or cancellation of services which in turn has inevitably led to a significant increase in waiting times, …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognizes the pandemic's burden and the committee's concern, stating that NHSE/I has already launched campaigns to reassure patients that NHS services are safe to access, detailing steps like social distancing and face masks.
Department of Health and Social Care
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5
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 64
During our session on 30 June 2020, Sir Simon Stevens told us that he “expects”...
Conclusion
During our session on 30 June 2020, Sir Simon Stevens told us that he “expects” waiting times for and referrals to core health services to “go up quite significantly over the second half of the year.” We also heard from …
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Government Response Summary
The government provides details on measures to address the backlog, including increasing elective activity via 'phase 3' guidance and allocating £1bn from the 2021/22 Spending Review to tackle the elective backlog and fund up to one million extra procedures.
Department of Health and Social Care
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6
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 65
We recommend that the Department of Health & Social Care and NHSE/I provide an update...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Department of Health & Social Care and NHSE/I provide an update on what steps they have, individually and collectively, taken and are planning to take to quantify and address the overall impact of the pandemic on …
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Government Response Summary
The government provides a detailed update on waiting times for elective care and cancer treatments, detailing recovery efforts, and outlines specific steps to manage demand, including a new £150 million fund for GP capacity expansion and adaptations for remote care.
Department of Health and Social Care
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7
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 66
We also recommend that NHSE/I provides us with a more broader update on what positive...
Recommendation
We also recommend that NHSE/I provides us with a more broader update on what positive innovations or changes have taken place in the NHS during the pandemic, and how it seeks to ensure all the positive changes that have occurred …
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Government Response Summary
The government outlines its "Adopt & Adapt" approach, including hub working models and £1bn funding for elective recovery in 2021/22, to support positive changes and tackle the elective backlog.
Department of Health and Social Care
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10
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 86
We recognise the unprecedented scale of the challenge facing the Government and NHSE/I to keep...
Conclusion
We recognise the unprecedented scale of the challenge facing the Government and NHSE/I to keep NHS and care staff safe during the pandemic. As in other countries facing the pandemic there were, however, persistent failures with the procurement and supply …
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Government Response Summary
The government expresses confidence in a consistent PPE supply for winter, detailing substantial items on order and a strategic stockpile, and reiterates its commitment to addressing practical difficulties and incorporating user feedback, implying ongoing efforts address the concerns.
Department of Health and Social Care
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18
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 137
We are extremely grateful to all NHS and care staff for their hard work and...
Conclusion
We are extremely grateful to all NHS and care staff for their hard work and dedication in trying to meet patient needs in such exceptional circumstances. This includes those who have returned to the NHS (such as clinicians returning from …
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Government Response Summary
The government responds by highlighting the NHS People Plan 2020/21, which emphasizes staff wellbeing, mental health, and addressing inequalities, stating that these existing commitments align with the committee's concerns about staff burnout.
Department of Health and Social Care
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26
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 169
Historically, accident and emergency departments have been over-stretched, over- burdened and running over capacity.
Conclusion
Historically, accident and emergency departments have been over-stretched, over- burdened and running over capacity. We have heard that the initial decline in patient attendances at A&E departments during the pandemic to some extent “cured” the problem of “corridor care”. However, …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognises the importance of managing A&E demand and states that NHSE/I has been working with NHS Trusts on plans including increasing capacity, improving patient flow, and reducing unnecessary admissions.
Department of Health and Social Care
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29
Recommendation
Accepted
We recommend that NHSE/I and the Department for Health & Social Care set out their...
Recommendation
We recommend that NHSE/I and the Department for Health & Social Care set out their assessment of how effective the use of technology and digital alternatives (“telemedicine”) has been across all health and care services. As part of this assessment, …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that NHS England and NHS Improvement are currently undertaking a review to assess the effectiveness of telemedicine and identify risks to patient wellbeing, including how to ensure patients are not digitally excluded.
Department of Health and Social Care
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