Campaign reply - NHS Restrictions

Thank you for contacting me about the impacts of Covid-19 on the NHS

The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for us all, particularly the NHS, and the way in which people accessed general practice services during Covid-19 changed. The NHS has set out that GP surgeries should now be providing face-to-face appointments as well as remote consultations. In March 2022, 62 per cent of appointments were face-to-face.

NHS guidance also states that health and care staff should continue to wear face masks when working in Covid-19 and respiratory pathways and in settings where patients are at high risk due to immunosuppression. Inpatients with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 and outpatients with respiratory symptoms attending emergency care should also be provided with a face covering. Masks, gloves and aprons should still be worn by staff when carrying out personal care or other tasks involving contact with blood or body fluids for someone not suspected or confirmed to have Covid-19.

 

I also recognise the importance of being able to visit loved ones in hospitals and the contribution this can make to an individual’s wellbeing. Inpatients in hospitals can be more vulnerable to Covid-19 but the Government and NHS England have been clear that visits should be facilitated.

NHS England has published guidance explaining that visiting should be accommodated for at least one hour per day and that patients should not be required to attend hospital on their own in outpatient and emergency settings unless this is a personal choice. Policies for visiting patients in hospital are ultimately at the discretion of the local NHS Trusts and other NHS bodies.

I recognise the impact the pandemic has had on the NHS and waiting lists and an additional £12 billion per year of funding will be invested in health and social care services on average over the next three years. The Government will also spend £2 billion this year, double the previous commitment, to tackle the elective backlog caused by the pandemic. Up to £340 million will also be provided to offer patients earlier access to cutting-edge treatments through the Innovative Medicines Fund.

Finally, the Government’s manifesto committed to 50,000 more nurses and 6,000 more doctors in general practice by 2023/24. As of February 2022, there were already 30,000 more nurses compared to September 2019 and 1,672 more full time equivalent doctors in December 2021 compared to the start of the Parliament in December 2019.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.