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1661524

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following the detection of the BA.2.86 COVID-19 variant in the UK, what assessment they have made of COVID-19 PCR testing (1) capacity, and (2) availability in England.
tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
uin	HL10261
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2023 answer text <p>Appropriate levels of testing for COVID-19, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing have remained to support diagnosis for clinical care and treatment, and to protect very high-risk individuals and settings.</p><p>Lateral flow device (LFD) testing is predominantly used and continues to be effective in detecting positive results, including of new variants. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) currently holds a stock of LFDs to support current testing policy and enable expanded deployment, should cases rise or risks to the National Health Service increase.</p><p>UKHSA continues to monitor prevalence and other factors to determine if additional testing, either LFD or PCR, is needed.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 02/10/2023 12:46:07 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1661525

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government (1) what plans they have to monitor the development of the BA.2.86 COVID-19 variant in the UK; and (2) to what extent PCR testing will support monitoring the BA.2.86 COVID-19 variant.
tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
uin	HL10262
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK Health Security Agency conducts routine monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 and the emergence and spread of new variants internationally via a range of surveillance systems and genomics capabilities, which report infection rates, hospitalisations and the risks posed by new variants, including the BA.2.86 variant.</p><p>The Government has maintained essential COVID-19 surveillance activities in primary and secondary care, and in high-risk settings. Currently a technical briefing is published every week, reviewing the data and risk assessing BA.2.86 and other variants.</p><p>We use Polymerase Chain Reaction testing for genomic sequencing to monitor and detect and assess vaccine effectiveness against new variants.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 02/10/2023 12:56:04 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1604694

registered interest
date	15/03/2023
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 8 February (HL5061), when data for April 2022 and beyond will be validated for release; and on what grounds this information is commercially sensitive.
tabling member printed	Lord Strathcarron
uin	HL6542
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2023 answer text <p>The data relating to the number of lateral flow device (LFD) tests purchased between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 will be available in late 2023 on completion of the National Audit Office audit on financial year 2022/23. The timescales of the audit are currently being discussed and agreed.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Health Security Agency consider that releasing the information on the total costs of LFD tests would not be in the public interest as it could prejudice future commercial relations with suppliers if this information were to be disclosed in the public domain.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 06/04/2023 14:36:46 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
tabling member	4937 label Biography information for Lord Strathcarron

1580984

registered interest
date	25/01/2023
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many COVID-19 lateral flow test kits they purchased since January 2020; what was the total cost of those tests; how many tests were distributed; and what estimate they have made of how many were used.
tabling member printed	Viscount Camrose
uin	HL5061
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2023 answer text <p>The Department purchased approximately 2.6 billion lateral flow device (LFD) tests between September 2020 and March 2022. It is not possible to provide data for April 2022 and beyond at this time as it is not yet validated for release. We are unable to provide the information requested on the total costs of LFD tests as this information is commercially sensitive.</p><p> </p><p>A table showing the number of LFD tests distributed up until May 2022 is attached. Whilst we collect data on tests recorded, this data does not necessarily equate to used tests as not everybody records the results of tests that they have used.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 08/02/2023 11:52:07 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham attachment 1 file name LFD-dispatches-23-june-2022.xls title Number of LFD tests distributed up until May 2022
tabling member	4939 label Biography information for Viscount Camrose

1468308

registered interest
date	07/06/2022
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Kamall on 17 May (HL71), what is the average rate of staff turnover within the Coronavirus Test Device Approval team since its implementation; and what steps they are taking to ensure that this does not affect the ability of the review team, including new scientific advisors, to address the ongoing COVID diagnostics application backlog.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL727
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2022 answer text <p>We are unable to provide the information requested on average staff turnover as it is not held in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p>The number of scientific advisors has remained stable. There are six new posts currently advertised to recruit permanent civil servants as scientific advisors, to replace contractors in these roles. In addition, organisational learning is being recorded to ensure continuity, including a new management information system and appropriate handover periods as staff are replaced.</p> answering member printed Lord Kamall question first answered 04/07/2022 11:25:49 answering member 4909 label Biography information for Lord Kamall
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1462729

registered interest
date	12/05/2022
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of eligible patients have received doses of COVID-19 antiviral therapies within the five day guidelines set out by Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
uin	HL214
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2022 answer text <p>Clinical access policies specify that the oral antiviral treatments molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir+ritonavir must be administered within five days of the patient starting to experience symptoms. Over 95% of eligible non-hospitalised patients who have received an antiviral treatment to date were treated within five days from the onset of symptoms. However, the antiviral infusion remdesivir is suitable to be administered within seven days of the patient becoming symptomatic.</p> answering member printed Lord Kamall question first answered 25/05/2022 11:31:44 answering member 4909 label Biography information for Lord Kamall
tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1462237

registered interest
date	11/05/2022
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with the diagnostics industry to (1) solicit, and (2) implement, feedback on the (a) efficiency, and (b) transparency, of regulatory bodies as part of ongoing reviews of the Coronavirus Test Device Approvals process.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL145
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2022 answer text <p>The UK Health Security Agency regularly engages with the diagnostics industry in the United Kingdom and others on the Coronavirus Test Device Approvals (CTDA) process. We will review the CTDA process due by the end of the year and consider its efficiency and transparency.</p> answering member printed Lord Kamall question first answered 20/05/2022 09:58:56 answering member 4909 label Biography information for Lord Kamall
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1462255

registered interest
date	11/05/2022
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have made towards developing (1) rapid, and (2) accurate, PCR testing infrastructure to control infections and protect patients in (a) NHS, and (b) private hospitals.
tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
uin	HL164
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2022 answer text <p>In National Health Service hospitals, rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is in place to support the urgent testing of patients. Free symptomatic testing continues to be provided for patients in hospital for whom a test is required for clinical management or to support treatment pathways; individuals who live or work in high-risk closed settings in patient facing roles where infection needs to be identified quickly to minimise outbreaks; and individuals whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 who are eligible for anti-viral medication or other treatments. People in this group will be contacted directly and automatically receive tests for use should they have COVID-19 symptoms.</p><p>Hospitals also use rapid lateral flow device testing where appropriate, which can be used in emergency departments as part of the early decision assist test pathway. The UKHSA does not provide PCR testing to private hospitals as part of the testing regime.</p> answering member printed Lord Kamall question first answered 25/05/2022 11:21:30 answering member 4909 label Biography information for Lord Kamall
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1461044

registered interest
date	10/05/2022
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the reported bottleneck in the Coronavirus Test Device Approval process.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL71
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2022 answer text <p>Current delays in the Coronavirus Test Device Approval (CTDA) process have been due to further information being sought from applicants during the validation process. However, to ensure applications meet the required standards, expert support has been provided by officials, with 60% of approvals being processed in the last three months.</p><p> </p><p>The number of scientific advisors has also been increased to meet demand. Online guidance for applicants has also been updated to provide greater clarity for acceptance criteria for the range of viral loads within positive samples. Officials continue to work with applicants to provide support during the process and minimise any potential delays.</p> answering member printed Lord Kamall question first answered 17/05/2022 13:41:04 answering member 4909 label Biography information for Lord Kamall
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1461045

registered interest
date	10/05/2022
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Screening
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they conducted a cost analysis before the implementation of the Coronavirus Test Device Approvals process; and how the desktop review fee amount for test applications was decided.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL72
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2022 answer text <p>The Department’s online only impact assessment included a cost analysis and calculations on the implementation of the Coronavirus Test Device Approvals process. It is intended that this regulation should be cost neutral for taxpayers and as such, the Government recovers the costs from applicants, while ensuring fees are as low as possible. However, through engagement in a public consultation and with industry, we recognised concerns on ensuring smaller businesses can access the market. Therefore a discounted rate of 55% is offered, in line with taxation benefits for research and development spending offered to small to medium-sized enterprises. We have committed to review the policy at the end of 2022.</p> answering member printed Lord Kamall question first answered 17/05/2022 13:40:35 answering member 4909 label Biography information for Lord Kamall
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath