Government replies on the disproportionate effects of Covid on people with disabilities; of negligence affecting people on care homes; the recall of faulty face masks; and what plans are in place (1) to acquire, (2) to stock, and (3) to distribute, gowns, masks, eye protection, gloves and other personal protective equipment, which is sufficiently adequate to protect clinical and care workers in the NHS and care sector in preparation for a potential second wave of COVID-19.

Jul 22, 2020 | News

Coronavirus

Government replies on the disproportionate effects of Covid on people with disabilities; of negligence affecting people on care homes; the recall of faulty face masks; and what plans are in place (1) to acquire, (2) to stock, and (3) to distribute, gowns, masks, eye protection, gloves and other personal protective equipment, sufficiently adequate to protect clinical and care workers in the NHS and care sector in preparation for a potential second wave of COVID-19.

 

Questions from Lord Alton of Liverpool

Lord Bethell, the Department of Health and Social Care, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL6339):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of analysis by the Office for National Statistics which, after comparing death certificates from 2 March to 15 May with data from the 2011 census, found that of all COVID-19 related deaths (1) 30.3 per cent were among people who said their daily activities were “limited a lot” because of a health problem or disability, and (2) 28.9 per cent were among those whose activities were “limited a little”; and what assessment they have made of the implications of those statistics on the future conduct of public policy. (HL6339)

Tabled on: 01 July 2020

Answer:
Lord Bethell:

We know that many people with long standing, limiting illnesses or health conditions are at higher risk of poorer outcomes from COVID-19.

The Office for National Statistics has undertaken provisional analysis of data comparing the risk of death involving COVID-19 according to a person’s disability status, as recorded in the 2011 Census for the period 2 March to 15 May 2020. This data suggests that, after adjusting for region, population density, socio-demographic and household characteristics, the relative difference in mortality rates between those ‘limited a lot’ by a health condition and those not disabled was 2.4 times higher for females and 1.9 times higher for males.

We continue to review all available evidence regarding the impact of COVID-19 for disabled people and we are commissioning new research to better understand the specific impact. This evidence will inform policy development going forwards.

Date and time of answer: 22 Jul 2020 at 14:36.

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Lord Bethell, the Department of Health and Social Care, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL6601):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports (1) that care home managers have not followed COVID-19 safety procedures, (2) that care home staff and residents had concerns about exposure to COVID-19 which warranted investigation by the Care Quality Commission, and (3) that care home providers may be subject to compensation claims for alleged negligence of resident and staff safety. (HL6601)

Tabled on: 08 July 2020

Answer:
Lord Bethell:

Many care homes have been doing an excellent job of keeping people safe.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) reduced the number of physical inspections it conducted during the crisis in order to limit the number of people going in and out of care homes. It did continue to inspect a small number of settings where serious concerns have been identified. Some of these were linked directly to concerns raised with the CQC from staff and members of the public.

Furthermore, during this crisis, Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors have contacted more than 80% of all providers – over 20,000 care providers – to offer support, advice and guidance, including help accessing personal protective equipment and advice on infection control.

Date and time of answer: 22 Jul 2020 at 14:34.

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Lord Bethell, the Department of Health and Social Care, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL6338):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many batches of surgical face masks delivered to care homes and GPs during the COVID-19 pandemic were recalled because they were faulty; what assessment they have made of reports that some of those masks were out of date by seven years but were still used; where any such masks were sourced; and at what cost. (HL6338)

Tabled on: 01 July 2020

Answer:
Lord Bethell:

Two important customer alerts were issued on 22 May and 26 June regarding a product fault with Type IIR facemasks, sourced from Cardinal Health. The Cardinal Health Type IIR facemasks were subject to a formal shelf life extension process that enabled their shelf life to be extended and so were not out of date. The cost of these masks cannot be released due to commercial sensitivity.

Date and time of answer: 22 Jul 2020 at 14:28.

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Lord Bethell, the Department of Health and Social Care, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL6602):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans are in place (1) to acquire, (2) to stock, and (3) to distribute, gowns, masks, eye protection, gloves and other personal protective equipment, which is sufficiently adequate to protect clinical and care workers in the NHS and care sector in preparation for a potential second wave of COVID-19; and where any such plans are published. (HL6602)

Tabled on: 08 July 2020

Answer:
Lord Bethell:

We are working to expand the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) from overseas and improve domestic manufacturing capability. We are expanding and improving the logistics network for delivering to the front line.

Since 25 February we have delivered over 2.2 billion items of PPE across the health and social care system within England, plus tens of millions more will have been distributed by the devolved administrations. Almost 28 billion items of PPE have been ordered from United Kingdom-based manufacturers and international partners to provide a continuous supply in the coming months.

 

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