Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that PCR test results for covid-19 are only given in a clinical context to take into account a patient's medical history.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The National Health Service provides clinical context for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests taken in healthcare settings. However, the purpose of PCR testing in the wider population is to identify positive cases for public health reasons and to reduce transmission. For pillar 2 PCR tests used for possible antiviral prescribing, an NHS clinical team will make an assessment of the patients’ medical history and clinical presentation to prescribe appropriate treatment.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will introduce a central repository of PCR tests in use in the NHS and publish evidence validating each test's effectiveness.
Answered by Maggie Throup
Manufacturers and distributors wishing to place a COVID-19 test on the market in the United Kingdom, including for sale to the National Health Service, must seek approval under the Medical Devices (Coronavirus Test Device Approvals) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. The approval process involves a review of evidence provided by the manufacturer about the performance of the test. Tests are approved where the manufacturer has provided suitable evidence that it meets performance thresholds in the Regulations. Tests which have been approved are available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-test-validation-approved-products
Several tests procured by the Department for use in NHS trusts have received validation which involves laboratory testing. The results of this process are available at the following link:
For those tests without national validation, tests are validated and verified at each NHS site as part of the requirements of their ISO15189 accreditation.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the uptake of covid-19 booster vaccination walk-in appointments.
Answered by Maggie Throup
On 18 January 2022 the National Health Service launched the 'Grab a Jab' campaign, with 1,800 walk-in sites available. More than 1,000 of these sites are open every day. The opening times of vaccination sites have been extended to seven days a week and general practitioners and pharmacies have been asked to provide more vaccination appointments.
The ‘Get Boosted Now’ communications campaign began on 12 December 2021 to encourage those eligible to receive their COVID-19 booster. Ministers, scientists, clinicians and celebrities have shared messages on the need for booster vaccinations to reach a wide audience. This is supported by a large-scale marketing campaign including TV, radio, press partnerships, social media and digital/social media takeovers.