Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the (a) surveillance of infectious diseases and (b) Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010.

As part of our responsibility to protect citizens from the impact of infectious diseases, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) carries out surveillance activities across a range of pathogens which represent a significant risk to health. This involves multiple UKHSA teams working with external partners across a wide range of activities. Our assessments of the effectiveness of surveillance are incorporated into annual reports on surveillance and progress towards the elimination of notifiable diseases, including tuberculosis and measles.

Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010 serve an important role in England’s ability to respond promptly to suspected cases of infectious disease that could have an impact on public health, by supporting a robust surveillance system. Regulations are reviewed by the Department and UKHSA, and include public consultations. A summary of responses to the recent Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010: proposed amendments consultation, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/health-protection-notification-regulations-2010-proposed-amendments/public-feedback/summary-of-responses-to-the-health-protection-notification-regulations-2010-proposed-amendments-consultation