Contributions
1,737 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHealth: RSV ImmunisationThe noble Baroness is absolutely correct. This applies to the take-up of a whole range of vaccinations—MMR is another example, as is polio. Inner cities, including London and…17 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsIt is key, and I think we are all aware that a couple of years ago—this was a result of the report of the noble Lord, Lord O’Shaughnessy—we were not doing as well as we needed to…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsOne of the key learnings from last year, which goes back to the whole question about planning, was actually that if you put social care moneys in too late, you do not get nearly…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsMy noble friend is absolutely correct, and strokes have been a major focus. I am glad to say that was one of the first areas where we rolled out AI everywhere, with the result…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsStaff retention, particularly of GPs, is vital. That is why we listened to the number one reason they were retiring, which was the feeling that their pensions were being adversely…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsI agree with the basic point, as I am sure all noble Lords will, that ambulances are on the front line and are the most important service in all of this. That is why we have…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsI agree with the noble Lord that prevention is key. About half the number of people who turn up at A&E do not need to go to A&E and can be seen in other settings. I completely…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsThe NHS has made progress against its targets, especially given the challenges of recovering from Covid-19, the changing demography and winter pressures. The Government recognise…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsFunnily enough, I had this conversation in terms of productivity just today. The virtual wards—the 11,000 extra beds we have put in—are actually making a real impact on that,…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsI definitely agree that it is more important, and that is why I am pleased that we have made such progress. If we look at one area in terms of hospital records being available and…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsI can talk about what we are doing now, which is showing real progress. But I have to say that the saying “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” comes to mind,…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNational Health Service: Key TargetsThe noble Baroness is correct: staff numbers have gone up but, for a number of reasons that we are exploring, output has not gone up by the same amount. It is a key point, and I…16 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS Winter UpdateI wish everyone a happy new year and share in the thanks given by noble Lord, Lord Allan—and, I am sure, the noble Baroness, Lady Merron—for the hard work all the staff put in…11 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS Winter UpdateI agree with the sentiment expressed by the noble Baroness. Clearly, we want to make sure that we minimise any loss to the profession. Retention is key. The long-term workforce…11 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS Winter UpdateI happily agree that we are investing record sums. The latest figures show that we are investing around about 11% of GDP in the National Health Service. I believe the figure in…11 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS Winter UpdateThe noble Lord is correct; London is always our most challenging place. I have found that across the board, funnily enough. He is right in terms of Covid and flu vaccinations, but…11 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS Winter UpdateI thank the noble Baroness for those points. Absolutely, I will need to come back on some of the detail on the virtual wards and how they are being used. One thing I will say…11 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS App: Medical RecordsIt is fair to say that we have made massive improvements. At the beginning of the year, we only had around 10% of patients with GP records available in the app but today it is…19 Dec 2023HANSARDNHS App: Medical RecordsIn terms of averting it, there are some of the measures I was talking about. For instance, with facial recognition, if anyone else is seen in the picture, it disregards it, so…19 Dec 2023HANSARDNHS App: Medical RecordsThe noble Lord is absolutely correct. Digital resource is well sought after. I was approving something just the other day which gives us more flexibility in that space, because…19 Dec 2023