July 13, 2020
Matt Hancock answers your questions
Your Questions Answered by: Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Thank you for submitting your question in our Party’s new newsletter. We’ve had a truly overwhelming response.
For any questions I haven’t been able to answer, the government is keeping an updated list of frequently asked questions here.
I am desperate to see my mum who is in a nursing home when will I be able to visit her? – Tracey from Anderton
I know how difficult recent months have been for so many families. However hard it has been, we can be proud that all of our actions have worked – we are getting the virus under control and carefully reopening parts of our economy.
We have issued specific guidance to care homes, so it’s always best to talk with them about how to facilitate family get togethers. I know many have been looking at really innovative ways of bringing relatives together. The Government has tried to support this with the use of technology, connecting families by video link.
If retail shops can open, then can museums also open provided that they follow similar rules? – Rebecca from Hereford
Yes! I’m delighted we’ve announced museums and galleries can now reopen. We know how tough recent months have been for these fantastic assets across our country, so I hope everyone gets out to support them when they reopen.
As the Prime Minister has explained, we’re currently meeting all five of our tests for easing lockdown measures, and the Covid Alert Level has recently moved from 4 down to 3. That means we can proceed with the next steps in our plan to restore our way of life, including the reopening of galleries and museums.
When we’re out and about we must of course remember to follow social distancing rules and keep washing our hands often. We’ve also published guidance to help venues like museums open and operate in a way that keeps both staff and customers as safe as possible.
When will cancer screening services such as the Breast screening program restart? – Sandy from Wokingham
I completely understand these concerns. I know how worried many people were when the pandemic struck that this would impact our cancer screening and treatment services. While our NHS was under huge strain due to Coronavirus, we protected emergency, cancer treatment and other care to ensure it could continue unaffected. And I’m delighted that we are now pushing ahead with the restoration and recovery of all cancer services as quickly as possible.
21 cancer alliances across England now have arrangements in place for cancer hubs. These are hospitals dedicated to cancer care away from hospitals dealing with the virus to keep often vulnerable cancer patients safe.
The most important thing to say is that if someone is worried about a lump or other abnormality, they should get it checked out. Hospitals are open – and people shouldn’t be afraid to use them.
What is the update for those shielding and vulnerable? – Anna from Worcester
I firstly want to pay tribute to all those who have been shielding for so many weeks. I know this has been incredibly tough. Shielding has involved not leaving your house for months, not seeing people you care about, not being able to wander to the park for some fresh air, or even pop to the shops for something you need. This sacrifice has been for a purpose, and I want to thank every single one of you.
We knew it was a difficult ask, but these measures have been vital in saving lives. Now, with infection rates continuing to fall in our communities, our medical experts have advised that we can ease some of these measures, while keeping people safe.
Those shielding from Coronavirus can now gather in groups of up to 6 people outdoors, while maintaining social distancing. Those who live alone or who are single parents with children are also able to form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household of any size. From Saturday 1 August, the guidance will then be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield.
I have been writing to all individuals on the Shielded Patient List with updated information on shielding advice and the ongoing support that will be available to them.
What is the plan now for the Nightingale hospitals? How can these facilities be best used to support the NHS? – Sarah from Windsor
This Nightingale Hospital project stands as a monument to this nation’s ability to get things done when it matters. It shows what’s possible when we come together as one team, in one national effort.
I pay tribute to the extraordinary work of everyone getting each built in less than a fortnight. The NHS, the military, the construction industry who both donated supplies and of course their expertise, the engineers, the electricians, the plumbers, the caterers and others, all played their part to ensure our NHS has the capacity it needs.
Coronavirus is still with us and the Nightingales still have a role to play as the NHS brings back non-urgent services. So we will be converting Nightingale Hospitals into cancer testing centres, starting with Nightingale Exeter.
Our NHS is open, so if you have symptoms or concerns, please come forward.
My partner and I live separately. Can we form a bubble? – Louise from Camberley
Yes, if at least one of you lives alone and you don’t bubble with anyone else. Enjoy!