Second Report - Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond

The government's response addresses a different recommendation regarding workforce burnout and inclusive recruitment, and does not engage with the committee's conclusion about poor patient communication and anxiety.

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.

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.

The government's response only reiterates the committee's initial recognition of commitment and gratitude for staff's efforts and innovations, failing to address the expressed concern about core health services operating with limited capacity or instructions not being adhered to.

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.

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.

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.

The government acknowledges the pandemic's impact on dental services and is working to increase service levels, noting updated guidance allows reduced room resting time. They are also exploring future use of Point of Care testing to increase patient throughput, but this is in early stages.

The government redirects responsibility for operational delivery and contracting of dental services away from the Chief Dental Officer, stating it lies with DHSC and NHS. It references an existing plan for resumption of dental services published in June 2020 and ongoing work on future contract mechanisms.

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.

The government is confident in a consistent PPE supply for winter, citing 32 billion items on order and a 4-month strategic stockpile. They are committed to addressing fitting difficulties by understanding user needs and incorporating feedback, especially for face masks.

The government acknowledges the committee's gratitude to Professor Whitty and reiterates its intention to use the SIREN study to inform the frequency and circumstances of NHS staff coronavirus testing.

The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about the risks of not routinely testing NHS staff and states that asymptomatic testing is an important protective measure, but does not explain why weekly testing has not been implemented as urged.

The government recognizes the Committee's concerns regarding routine asymptomatic testing of NHS staff and acknowledges its importance as a protective measure for staff, patients, and visitors from COVID-19 infection.

The government acknowledges the concerns regarding routine testing for NHS staff and states its importance as a protective measure, but does not provide the specific information requested about Professor Whitty's advice on testing capacity or routine testing in hotspots.

The government recognises the committee's concerns and acknowledges that routine asymptomatic testing is an important component of protecting NHS staff and patients, but does not commit to introducing it rapidly or expanding capacity as recommended.

The government acknowledges concerns about routine testing for NHS staff and states its importance as a protective measure, but fails to provide the requested information on current testing capacity, future requirements, or timelines for securing sufficient capacity.

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.

The government acknowledges the need to mitigate the psychological impact of pressures on staff and to increase workforce supply and improve retention, promising to provide further details on these efforts in another section of the letter.

The government acknowledges the importance of mitigating psychological pressures and continuing to increase workforce supply and retention, stating that measures have been outlined and promising further details in another section of the letter, but does not commit to setting out a specific plan to the committee by the requested deadline.

The government's response focuses on mitigating psychological pressures, increasing workforce supply, and improving staff retention, without addressing the specific request for a definition of 'workforce burnout' or how staff wellbeing is being monitored and assessed.

The government agrees with the Committee's comments that there is no equivalent of the NHS People Plan for social care and commits to addressing the social care workforce in the upcoming White Paper for Social Care Reform.

The government acknowledges the committee's comments by outlining its approach to eradicating racism and discrimination, which aligns with legal definitions from the Equalities Act 2010 and Race Relations Act 1976, stating that its work in this area is multi-faceted.

The government aligns its definition of racism and discrimination with the Race Relations Act 1976 and Equalities Act 2010, confirming their approach to addressing the issues of discrimination faced by BAME NHS staff.

The government aligns its approach to racism and discrimination with existing legal definitions (Race Relations Act 1976 and Equalities Act 2010) and outlines current multi-faceted work, including the WRES and a programme to address the impact of COVID-19 on BAME staff, but does not commit to developing new specific targets or deadlines for a future strategy.

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.

The government welcomes support for the ‘111 dial first’ scheme and states that pilots are being monitored and evaluated to inform wider rollout, but does not provide the requested update or specific plans for A&E departments.

The government welcomes the committee's support for technological innovation and is committed to supporting wider technology deployment, but does not address the call for a comprehensive assessment of digital exclusion risks or methods to bring forward successful innovations.

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.

The government agrees that independent sector capacity will be needed and states it has secured this capacity through agreements to ensure the NHS can meet patient demand.

The government provides a general statement about maximising treatment capacity and noting prior elective recovery, but does not clarify its plans for independent sector use or provide the specific capacity assessments requested by the committee.