09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ministers must act to ensure public can have confidence in NHS Test and Trace

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that NHS Test and Trace has only reached some 70% of 'close contacts' of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "Yesterday the Chancellor offered us discounts to eat out, but many people will be too worried to do so. That’s because the NHS Test and Trace is still failing to reach large numbers of people, despite costing taxpayers some £10 billion in private contracts. "We need to test, trace and isolate every case of COVID-19 to keep people safe. The public need to have confidence that NHS Test & Trace is fully functional. With the figures failing to improve week to week, it's clear there is still a lot of work to do. "The Government…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

As the country opens up Test and Trace is more important than ever

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Press Conference by the Culture Secretary, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Many business owners will be breathing a sigh of relief that they can re-open and get some sense of normality. As the country opens up it is more important than ever that we have a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system. “NHS Test and Trace is still failing to reach large numbers of people, despite costing taxpayers some £10 billion in private contracts. "The Government must act now to ensure that this system works,  failing will put public health at risk and jeopardise our chances of a rapid economic recovery."
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05Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Health Secretary failing to create comprehensive and trace system

Parliamentary news
Responding to Matt Hancock's interview on The Andrew Marr Show, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The Health Secretary talks a lot about wanting to protect our NHS, but the best way to protect it is by actually creating a comprehensive Test and Trace system that allows local authorities to keep the virus under control. Ultimately if we want to avoid a second peak that will put untold pressure on our NHS and cost lives, we need a fully functioning Test and Trace system. “It is incredibly disappointing that Matt Hancock has failed to commit to properly recognising health and care workers who have made such great sacrifices through the Coronavirus. “As we celebrate the birthday of our NHS the Government must address the serious concerns about…
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02Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must move faster to improve NHS Test & Trace system

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the NHS Test and Trace system is still failing to find a quarter of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The latest NHS Test & Trace figures suggest the system is not improving at the rate that it needs to. "With lockdown restrictions due to be eased further from Saturday, a robust and effective system to test, trace and isolate every case of coronavirus to keep people safe is absolutely critical. "Ministers must move much faster to improve the Test & Trace system and local authorities must be at the heart of those efforts. This means providing real-time, postcode-level data now on positive tests so that local Directors of Public Health, who have the…
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26Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must guarantee NHS Test & Trace fully functional before lockdown eases

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the latest figures for NHS Test & Trace show that nearly 30% of people who tested positive for coronavirus last week were not reached by contact tracers, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The latest tracing figures are alarming and provide yet more evidence that England’s Test & Trace system is in disarray. "With the Prime Minister's announcement that lockdown will ease dramatically in a few days' time, a robust and effective system to test, trace and isolate every case of coronavirus to keep people safe is absolutely critical. Without this system - let alone a cure or a vaccine - the risks of a second peak are grave indeed. "Millions have made heartbreaking sacrifices since lockdown began. Rushing the return…
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22Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

2m review must consider test, trace and isolate strategy

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will announce in the coming week whether the 2m social distancing rule in England will be relaxed, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The economic and public health impact of the Coronavirus is deeply worrying and has left thousands of families facing financial hardship and uncertainty. We all want to get back to normal life as soon as possible. “However, any easing of the lockdown can only happen once the Government delivers a comprehensive strategy to test, trace and isolate to protect lives and prevent a new surge. “Thus far, the Government has been woefully slow to ramp up capacity and their tracing plans are in disarray. It is clear Ministers failed to prepare properly and have created confusion by badly communicating their…
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12Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Yet more dishonesty from the Government on test and trace system

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Health Secretary has been misleading about the number of contacts that have been traced, using the governments test and trace system, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Yet more obfuscation from the Health Secretary today on the testing and tracing system. In normal times this kind of dishonesty from the government is  extremely problematic, during a pandemic it is dangerous. “If people do not trust the government they are less likely to have faith in a test and trace system and less likely to follow guidelines, people want clarity and honesty from Ministers. “Without a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system it is almost impossible to keep people safe as we move out of lockdown. Ministers have failed to make this happen and apparently won't be…
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt must be clear on process for regional COVID-19 lockdowns

Parliamentary news
A Cambridge University and PHE England study has suggested the decline in the COVID-19 death rate in England may arrest by mid-June. Responding to this, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Munira Wilson said: “Scientists and public health officials sounded the alarm when the Government eased lockdown this week, given the COVID-19 risk level is still "high". These findings show that they were right to advise caution.  "An effective test, trace and isolate system is the only way to keep people safe. But Ministers relaxed lockdown measures before establishing a fully functioning test and trace service, or even getting the NHSX App up and running.  "The UK coronavirus death toll has now, tragically, surpassed 40,000 - the highest in Europe. Given the scale of the crisis in the UK, Ministers must be…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government strategy must also support people in isolation

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government’s test and trace system announcement, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The Coronavirus crisis is leaving people rightly worried about their loved ones. Sadly, the Government has left confusion in it's wake this week and there are plenty questions still to answer.  “Central to the Government’s strategy must be a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system. Time and again, we have seen Ministers announce the next steps but never an effective plan to support people in isolation, thereby stopping the spread and saving lives. “Ministers must come forward with these clear and honest answers, in addition addressing the obvious issues with their app and why the level of testing remains so low across the UK compared to some countries.”
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