Recommendation 1
DHSC should ensure that healthcare data systems allow easy, but secure, access to healthcare data;
Source · National Audit Office
Protecting and supporting the clinically extremely vulnerable during lockdown
This report looks at how effectively government met the needs of clinically extremely vulnerable through the shielding programme.
Published: 10 Feb 2021
Recommendations: 7
Type: Value for Money
NAO confirmed: 6
Department: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
NHSE&I and NHS Digital should set out how they will improve the accuracy of patient telephone numbers to improve the speed of communication with patients;
Recommendation 3
DHSC should set out the core data requirements it is likely to need in a future pandemic or civil emergency and how it can access these data in a timely manner;
Recommendation 4
DHSC should establish a robust plan on how to communicate clearly, quickly and consistently with CEV people to ensure that people are clear if they need to shield, why they need to shield, how to shield and the support available to them;
Recommendation 5
By April 2021, MHCLG should review the effectiveness of the new National Shielding Service System, introduced for the second lockdown, to ensure that it provides intended benefits;
Recommendation 6
MHCLG should set out how it can establish the capacity and capability of local authorities to support shielding-type exercises in a timely way in the event of future pandemics or civil emergencies and how it can engage more effectively with local authorities;
Recommendation 7
For future pandemic planning, government should consider how it will approach balancing the relative merits of central, universal offers of support against targeted local support.