Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic

Health and Social Care Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Jul 2021 Closed: 25 May 2022 Parliament page
The Committee has launched a new inquiry to quantify the level of pent-up demand for key healthcare services; and to consider whether fundamental changes to the organisation and delivery of NHS services will be required to manage the backlog of cases caused by the pandemic. MPs will examine levels of … Read more
11 Recommendations
23 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
2 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
25 May
2022
Report published
6 Jan
2022
Report published
30 Nov
2021
Correspondence
19 Nov
2021
Correspondence
2 Nov
2021
Oral evidence
2 Nov
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
19 Oct
2021
Oral evidence
19 Oct
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
21 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
21 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
7 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
7 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
2 Nov 2021
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Rt Hon Sajid Javid · Department of Health and Social Care
19 Oct 2021
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Amanda Pritchard · NHS England Ben Zaranko · Institute for Fiscal Studies Professor Stephen Powis · NHS England Sarah Lambrechts, Expert by experience Siva Anandaciva · The Kings Fund
21 Sep 2021
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Dr Adrian James · The Royal College of Psychiatrists Dr Melissa Heightman · University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Helen Lunt Davies, Expert by experience Lere Fisher, Expert by experience Ondine Sherwood · LongCovidSOS Professor Martin Marshall CBE · Royal College of General Practitioners
7 Sep 2021
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Anita Charlesworth · Health Foundation Dr Andrew Goddard · Royal College of Physicians Dr Katherine Henderson · Royal College of Emergency Medicine James Wilkinson, expert by experience Professor Neil Mortensen · Royal College of Surgeons of England Shirley Cochrane, expert by experience
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic HC 599 6 Jan 2022 34 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
34 results
1 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
Our key new recommendation is that, by April 2022, the Department of Health and Social...
Our key new recommendation is that, by April 2022, the Department of Health and Social Care works with NHS England to produce a broader national health and care recovery plan that goes beyond the elective backlog to emergency care, mental … Read more
Government Response
Accept in principle. The Government recognises the importance of the NHS and the social care system working together to address the challenges they face. The Health and Care Act 2022 … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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2 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
It is not appropriate to set a numerical target for the proportion of appointments carried...
It is not appropriate to set a numerical target for the proportion of appointments carried out remotely in general practice. Instead practices should respond to the needs of their local populations and work together with patients to establish the most … Read more
Government Response
Accept. It is not appropriate to set a numerical target for the proportion of appointments carried out remotely in general practice. Instead, practices should respond to the needs of their … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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3 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
NHS England has already commissioned an evaluation of the role of digital tools in primary...
NHS England has already commissioned an evaluation of the role of digital tools in primary care. We recommend that it publishes that evaluation at the earliest opportunity and uses it as a basis to produce clear and consistent guidance on … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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4 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We further recommend that NHS England looks beyond primary care in its assessment of the...
We further recommend that NHS England looks beyond primary care in its assessment of the use of digital tools and considers the impact of an increased usage of such tools not only on patients, but also on other parts of … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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5 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
Managed well, we see enormous potential for a beefed-up version of 111 to regulate the...
Managed well, we see enormous potential for a beefed-up version of 111 to regulate the demands on emergency departments and ensure that patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. However, we acknowledge concerns that … Read more
Government Response
NHS England are evaluating the NHS 111 First service, and a final evaluation report will be published in due course. This will assess the impact of the service on emergency … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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6 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We therefore recommend that NHS England completes and publishes evaluations of NHS 111 call first...
We therefore recommend that NHS England completes and publishes evaluations of NHS 111 call first services as soon as is practicable, including learning from those evaluations and the implications for any future iterations of the service.
Government Response
The NHS is committed to evaluating services to ensure that they are providing high quality care for patients. NHS England is currently undertaking further detailed analysis of the NHS 111 … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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7 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
The response to long covid shows both the kind of integrated, patient-centred care the NHS...
The response to long covid shows both the kind of integrated, patient-centred care the NHS can provide when systems work effectively, and the frustration and detriment experienced by patients who have to “fight” to access to the right care when … Read more
Government Response
The Government recognises the importance of supporting those suffering from long COVID, with over £50 million invested into research to better understand the condition, and over 90 specialist clinics established … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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8 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We therefore recommend that NHS England publishes, before the end of this financial year, a...
We therefore recommend that NHS England publishes, before the end of this financial year, a long covid plan covering the period until 2023. The plan must be developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including patient groups. NHS … Read more
Government Response
NHS England published its Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care in March 2022, which included commitments to optimising pathways for patients with long COVID and ensuring … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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9 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
It is not acceptable for patients awaiting planned treatment or feeling the debilitating effects of...
It is not acceptable for patients awaiting planned treatment or feeling the debilitating effects of long covid to feel “abandoned” by the NHS. We appreciate the uncertainty about the length of future waiting lists, but this is no excuse for … Read more
Government Response
The Government agrees that communication with patients is essential. NHS England has been working to improve communication with patients waiting for treatment, and has published guidance for providers on how … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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10 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
The national health and care recovery plan must set out a clear vision for what...
The national health and care recovery plan must set out a clear vision for what ‘success’ in tackling the backlog will look like, and what patients can expect their care to look like in their local area in the coming … Read more
Government Response
Accept in principle. NHS England is responsible for setting out a clear vision for what ‘success’ in tackling the elective backlog will look like, and what patients can expect their … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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11 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
Lastly, we heard that patient involvement in services was important to tackle long covid.
Lastly, we heard that patient involvement in services was important to tackle long covid. It should also be taking place in other areas. We have previously called for the Care Quality Commission’s assessments of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to include … Read more
Government Response
Accept in principle. The Government agrees that patient involvement in services is important, and that this should be taking place in all areas of health and care. The Care Quality … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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12 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We again recommend that the Care Quality Commission includes consultation with patient groups and details...
We again recommend that the Care Quality Commission includes consultation with patient groups and details of patient outcomes in its assessment of ICSs. (Paragraph 68) Funding and policies to tackle the backlog
Government Response
Accept in principle. The Government agrees that patient involvement in services is important, and that this should be taking place in all areas of health and care. The Care Quality … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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13 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
The pandemic has had a negative impact on health inequalities and highlighted the crucial importance...
The pandemic has had a negative impact on health inequalities and highlighted the crucial importance of effective public health services in supporting local populations. Public health services are therefore vital allies in tackling the backlog, and we are surprised at … Read more
Government Response
Partially accept. The Government recognises the crucial importance of effective public health services in supporting local populations, and the negative impact that the pandemic has had on health inequalities. Public … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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14 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
As part of its national health and care recovery plan, we recommend that the Government...
As part of its national health and care recovery plan, we recommend that the Government sets out the contribution that public health services will make, and ensures that this contribution is backed with a level of funding that acknowledges their … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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15 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We note that the Government decided to resist an amendment to the Health and Care...
We note that the Government decided to resist an amendment to the Health and Care Bill that would have required it to publish independently verified assessment of health, social care and public health workforce numbers at least once every two … Read more
Government Response
Accept in principle. The Government recognises the importance of supporting frontline staff and the need for independently verified assessment of health, social care and public health workforce numbers. The Government … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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16 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We repeat our recommendation that HEE must be required (whether in its own right or...
We repeat our recommendation that HEE must be required (whether in its own right or as part of NHS England) to publish objective, transparent and independently-audited annual reports on workforce projections that cover the next five, ten and twenty years, … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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17 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We recommend that the Government undertake an urgent review of short-term recruitment and retention issues...
We recommend that the Government undertake an urgent review of short-term recruitment and retention issues within the health and care workforce, including productivity improvements, sharing of best practice through data, removal of professional demarcation, use of technology, additional training places … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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18 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
Investing resource in our health and care workforce will ultimately save money— for example through...
Investing resource in our health and care workforce will ultimately save money— for example through reduced locum and agency fees over time—and help build a better, safer health service. It will also give hope to staff—who are feeling increasing desperate … Read more
Government Response
The Government recognises the importance of investing in the health and care workforce and the need to support them. This is why in the Autumn Statement 2022, the Government reaffirmed … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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19 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We call on NHS England to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to staff wellbeing by publishing...
We call on NHS England to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to staff wellbeing by publishing a refreshed People Plan to cover the financial year 2022/23 as soon as is practicable.
Department of Health and Social Care
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20 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
An NHS running too ‘hot’ for patients to move from crowded emergency departments into wards...
An NHS running too ‘hot’ for patients to move from crowded emergency departments into wards cannot provide safe, efficient or effective care in the long- term. Furthermore, the advent of ICSs offers an opportunity to provide patients with more integrated … Read more
Government Response
Accept in principle. The Government recognises that an NHS running too ‘hot’ for patients to move from crowded emergency departments into wards cannot provide safe, efficient or effective care in … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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21 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
As part of its broader health and care recovery plan, the Government must produce an...
As part of its broader health and care recovery plan, the Government must produce an independently-verified analysis of how many, and what type, of extra beds the NHS needs in order to provide safe and effective everyday care for patients, … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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22 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We welcome the £2.3bn pledged in the Spending Review to create around 100 new community...
We welcome the £2.3bn pledged in the Spending Review to create around 100 new community diagnostic hubs, but we are yet to see detailed plans for their implementation.
Government Response
Noted. We welcome the £2.3 billion pledged in the Spending Review to create around 100 new community diagnostic hubs, and detailed plans for their implementation will be set out in due course.
Department of Health and Social Care
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23 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
Ahead of the arrival of the new funding from the Spending Review in Spring 2022,...
Ahead of the arrival of the new funding from the Spending Review in Spring 2022, we recommend that Government provides more details on the 100 new community diagnostic hubs, including where they will be placed, who will staff them and … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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24 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
Access to care should not be dependent on where you live in the country.
Access to care should not be dependent on where you live in the country. Regional and national co-ordination will be necessary to ensure that strategies aimed at tackling the backlog do not have the unintended consequence of increasing health inequalities. Read more
Government Response
The Elective Recovery Taskforce is working to ensure that innovative solutions to tackling the backlog are adopted across the country to ensure that access to care is not dependent on … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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25 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We recommend that NHS England, together with ICBs and the new Office for Health Improvement...
We recommend that NHS England, together with ICBs and the new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), work together to deliver regional and national coordination as the system tackles the backlog in elective care. If the independent sector is … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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26 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We have heard much about how a robust social care system that can support hospital...
We have heard much about how a robust social care system that can support hospital discharges and free up capacity is essential to clear the backlog. We welcome the inclusion of the social care workforce in the refreshed Framework 15. … Read more
Government Response
The Government recognises the importance of social care in supporting hospital discharge and freeing up capacity. The Government has made available up to £7.5 billion over the next two years … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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27 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
In light of the Government’s commitment to reform social care, we again recommend that it...
In light of the Government’s commitment to reform social care, we again recommend that it publishes a ten-year plan for social care, setting out how it in detail how it will tackle the structural and financial problems the sector faces … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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28 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
To encourage better integration and mutual understanding across health and social care, we again recommend...
To encourage better integration and mutual understanding across health and social care, we again recommend that a duty is placed on ICSs so that where a decision by an ICS affects carers and the social care sector, the ICS must … Read more
Government Response
The Government agrees with the importance of integration across health and social care. The Health and Care Act 2022 places a duty on ICBs to promote integration. Statutory guidance will … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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29 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
There is enormous potential for technology to support a transformation in NHS care that will...
There is enormous potential for technology to support a transformation in NHS care that will bring benefits for patients and staff alike. However, this potential will not be realised while many providers still struggle with basic IT infrastructure. The Wade-Gery … Read more
Government Response
NHS England are committed to publishing a roadmap in response to the Wade-Gery report and intend to do so in Autumn 2022. This will set out how they will put … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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30 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
NHS England must produce its roadmap in response to the Wade-Gery report on Putting data,...
NHS England must produce its roadmap in response to the Wade-Gery report on Putting data, digital and tech at the heart of transforming the NHS at the earliest opportunity so that we and others are able to scrutinise it ahead of implementation.
Government Response
NHS England are committed to publishing a roadmap in response to the Wade-Gery report and intend to do so in Autumn 2022. This will set out how they will put … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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31 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
The upcoming national introduction of ICBs provides the opportunity for local integration and innovation.
The upcoming national introduction of ICBs provides the opportunity for local integration and innovation. This opportunity must not be wasted, particularly in the context of the backlog. There must be clear incentives for ICBs to deliver integrated and innovative care, … Read more
Government Response
The Government agrees on the importance of ICBs delivering integrated and innovative care, and that ICSs are held accountable for the care they deliver. The Health and Care Act 2022 … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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32 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We have previously recommended that Care Quality Commission ratings include an assessment of the progress...
We have previously recommended that Care Quality Commission ratings include an assessment of the progress ICBs make on the integration of information technology between primary care, secondary care, and the social care sector. We repeat this recommendation here. Although the … Read more
Government Response
The Government agrees on the importance of integrated care and the effective use of technology. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent body, and it is for them to … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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33 Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We recommend the Government creates a platform to share examples of good practice and innovation...
We recommend the Government creates a platform to share examples of good practice and innovation at ICB level so that lessons can be learnt, and practices adapted in ways that reflect the health needs of local areas. Without this, the … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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34 Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlo…
We again recommend that a duty be placed on ICBs for them to have regard...
We again recommend that a duty be placed on ICBs for them to have regard to mental health and public health. (Paragraph 128) Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic 39
Government Response
The Government agrees that it is important that ICBs have regard to mental health and public health. The Health and Care Act 2022 places a duty on ICBs to have … Read more
Department of Health and Social Care
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Correspondence 2 letters
30 Nov 2021 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State on CQC integrated care systems dated 12.11.21
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19 Nov 2021 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State on General Practitioners and PCR tests dated 08.11.21
Parliament page