Since 4 April 2022, while visitors are no longer asked to test before entering a care home, they are encouraged to take necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. This includes staying away from the care home if they are symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19. However, free asymptomatic testing is available for visitors providing personal care to test up to twice weekly, if visiting more than twice. We will continue to keep care home testing arrangements and its impact on care home staff, residents and visitors under review.

From 1 April 2022, free universal access to symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public in England will end. We will continue to make free testing available for a small number of at risk groups. Further details of eligible groups will be made available in due course.

Lateral flow tests are available at asymptomatic test sites and home test kits can be ordered online, by phoning 119, or collected from over 90% of pharmacies across England. Rapid lateral flow testing instructions in English, Welsh and 14 other languages widely and English easy read and large print versions are available online.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.

The Department does not hold data on turnaround times for tests broken down in this format.

Since the beginning of September, the median time taken to receive a test result from satellite test centres has decreased from 102 hours to 59 hours.

Symptomatic care home staff are able to access testing via a number of routes such as home testing, and information on the turnaround times for these is available as part of the weekly NHS Test and Trace Statistics Publication, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nhs-test-and-trace-statistics-england-weekly-reports

Between 30 July and 5 August 2020, 43.3% of test results for satellite testing, which includes care home testing, were received within 48 hours of the test being taken. Care homes predominantly use satellite test kits as they need greater control and flexibility over when tests are collected. For example, tests may be conducted over multiple days with a collection scheduled a few days later.

Due to this, a lower proportion of test results will be available within 24 hours of the test being taken. We are encouraging more care homes to conduct testing over the weekend (Friday to Sunday) where possible to do so, to make better use of available lab capacity which should support faster turn-around times.

Turnaround times for tests conducted under Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 are published weekly on GOV.uk as part of the Weekly NHS Test and Trace Bulletin.

Between 30 July and 5 August 2020, 43.3% of test results for satellite testing, which includes care home testing, were received within 48 hours of the test being taken. Care homes predominantly use satellite test kits as they need greater control and flexibility over when tests are collected. For example, tests may be conducted over multiple days with a collection scheduled a few days later.

Due to this, a lower proportion of test results will be available within 24 hours of the test being taken. We are encouraging more care homes to conduct testing over the weekend (Friday to Sunday) where possible to do so, to make better use of available lab capacity which should support faster turn-around times.

Turnaround times for tests conducted under Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 are published weekly on GOV.uk as part of the Weekly NHS Test and Trace Bulletin.

We have recently undertaken a review of our care home sample-to-result turnaround time. We have identified and commenced implementation of a number of logistical improvements which will shorten the transit times from care home to laboratories and will enable faster provision of results.

The Government first issued guidance to the public on household isolation on 12 March 2020 and we have continued to iterate our advice as the science has evolved. Our most recent update to the stay at home guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infection is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

As the level of infection in the United Kingdom reduces, it will be important to manage the risk of transmissions being reintroduced from abroad. As set out in the COVID-19 recovery strategy, the Government will introduce a series of measures and restrictions at the United Kingdom border, including requiring international arrivals to provide contact information and self-isolate.

On 13 May 2020, the Government updated its travel advice which can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

The United Kingdom National Screening Committee’s (UK NSC) recommendation to not offer population screening for autism spectrum disorders in children is currently under review as per its published evidence review process. The UK NSC will look at all relevant published peer reviewed evidence since the last review in 2012.

The UK NSC will hold a public consultation on the evidence review later in 2020/21 and welcomes comments from members of the public and stakeholders. More information can be found at the following link:

https://legacyscreening.phe.org.uk/screening-recommendations.php

We are currently reviewing the recommendations made in Professor Sir Mike Richards’ report and are working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and other partners across the health system to develop an implementation plan, which we expect to publish early next year. This will ensure that any proposed changes can be implemented smoothly and without compromising the safety and efficacy of our current screening programmes.

I totally agree with the hon. Gentleman, and my constituency neighbour, the Secretary of State, is totally on this programme.

A search of the Department’s ministerial correspondence database has identified two items of correspondence from the Down’s Syndrome Association received since 1 January 2016 on non-invasive prenatal testing and information provided by health professionals about Down’s syndrome to prospective parents. This figure represents correspondence received by the Department’s ministerial correspondence unit only.

Routine testing of babies for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is not recommended. Therefore, no cost benefit assessment has been made by the Department on providing GBS tests to newborn babies.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified 41 items of correspondence received since 1 January 2015 on GBS. This correspondence relates mainly to offering testing for GBS carriage in pregnancy.

If a woman has previously had a baby with GBS, her maternity team will either monitor the health of her newborn baby closely for at least 12 hours after birth, or treat them with antibiotics until blood tests confirm whether or not GBS is present. The Department’s policy is not to offer antenatal screening for GBS carriage. This is based on advice from the UK National Screening Committee the body responsible for advising Ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy, and their advice is because there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the benefits to be gained from screening would outweigh the harms.

Routine testing of babies for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is not recommended. Therefore, no cost benefit assessment has been made by the Department on providing GBS tests to newborn babies.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified 41 items of correspondence received since 1 January 2015 on GBS. This correspondence relates mainly to offering testing for GBS carriage in pregnancy.

If a woman has previously had a baby with GBS, her maternity team will either monitor the health of her newborn baby closely for at least 12 hours after birth, or treat them with antibiotics until blood tests confirm whether or not GBS is present. The Department’s policy is not to offer antenatal screening for GBS carriage. This is based on advice from the UK National Screening Committee the body responsible for advising Ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy, and their advice is because there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the benefits to be gained from screening would outweigh the harms.

Routine testing of babies for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is not recommended. Therefore, no cost benefit assessment has been made by the Department on providing GBS tests to newborn babies.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified 41 items of correspondence received since 1 January 2015 on GBS. This correspondence relates mainly to offering testing for GBS carriage in pregnancy.

If a woman has previously had a baby with GBS, her maternity team will either monitor the health of her newborn baby closely for at least 12 hours after birth, or treat them with antibiotics until blood tests confirm whether or not GBS is present. The Department’s policy is not to offer antenatal screening for GBS carriage. This is based on advice from the UK National Screening Committee the body responsible for advising Ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy, and their advice is because there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the benefits to be gained from screening would outweigh the harms.

A parliamentary debate on cervical screening was held on 1 May 2014, Official Report, column 1025. The debate was secured by the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) and the focus of the debate was cervical cancer and screening in younger women.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified 11 items of correspondence received since 1 January 2015 about cervical screening for women under the age of 25. This is a minimum figure which represents correspondence received by the Department’s Ministerial correspondence unit only.

In 2012 the UK National Screening Committee recommended that the age of first invitation for cervical screening should be age 25 on the basis that there is evidence of a large number of women screened and treated with relatively little benefit below this age. Cervical cancer in women under the age of 25 is very rare with just 2.6 cases per 100,000 women. Younger women often undergo natural and harmless changes in the cervix that screening would identify as cervical abnormalities, and in most cases these abnormalities resolve themselves without any need for treatment.

Guidance for primary care on the management of young women who present with gynecological symptoms was developed and published in March 2010, Clinical practice guidelines for the assessment of young women aged 20-24 with abnormal vaginal bleeding. The guidance was produced by a multi-disciplinary group, including professionals, patients and the voluntary sector. It was reviewed by a number of general practitioners (GPs), and was endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Physicians.

A smear test is primarily used for screening purposes, and is unlikely to be appropriate when a woman has gynaecological issues that are symptomatic of cancer. In such cases the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer (2005) are available to help GPs assess when it is appropriate to refer patients for suspected cancer, including cervical cancer. The Guidelines make clear recommendations in relation to gynaecological cancer, and state that:

“A patient who presents with symptoms suggesting gynaecological cancer should be referred to a team specialising in the management of gynaecological cancer, depending on local arrangements.”

In relation to cervical cancer the Guidelines make clear that a smear test is not required before referral:

“In patients found on examination to have clinical features that raise the suspicion of cervical cancer, an urgent referral should be made. A cervical smear test is not required before referral, and a previous negative cancer smear result is not a reason to delay referral.”

Therefore, when a woman is experiencing gynaecological problems which are symptomatic of gynaecological cancer, their GP would be expected to refer them to the appropriate specialist without needing to conduct a smear test.

A parliamentary debate on cervical screening was held on 1 May 2014, Official Report, column 1025. The debate was secured by the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) and the focus of the debate was cervical cancer and screening in younger women.

A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified 11 items of correspondence received since 1 January 2015 about cervical screening for women under the age of 25. This is a minimum figure which represents correspondence received by the Department’s Ministerial correspondence unit only.

In 2012 the UK National Screening Committee recommended that the age of first invitation for cervical screening should be age 25 on the basis that there is evidence of a large number of women screened and treated with relatively little benefit below this age. Cervical cancer in women under the age of 25 is very rare with just 2.6 cases per 100,000 women. Younger women often undergo natural and harmless changes in the cervix that screening would identify as cervical abnormalities, and in most cases these abnormalities resolve themselves without any need for treatment.

Guidance for primary care on the management of young women who present with gynecological symptoms was developed and published in March 2010, Clinical practice guidelines for the assessment of young women aged 20-24 with abnormal vaginal bleeding. The guidance was produced by a multi-disciplinary group, including professionals, patients and the voluntary sector. It was reviewed by a number of general practitioners (GPs), and was endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Physicians.

A smear test is primarily used for screening purposes, and is unlikely to be appropriate when a woman has gynaecological issues that are symptomatic of cancer. In such cases the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer (2005) are available to help GPs assess when it is appropriate to refer patients for suspected cancer, including cervical cancer. The Guidelines make clear recommendations in relation to gynaecological cancer, and state that:

“A patient who presents with symptoms suggesting gynaecological cancer should be referred to a team specialising in the management of gynaecological cancer, depending on local arrangements.”

In relation to cervical cancer the Guidelines make clear that a smear test is not required before referral:

“In patients found on examination to have clinical features that raise the suspicion of cervical cancer, an urgent referral should be made. A cervical smear test is not required before referral, and a previous negative cancer smear result is not a reason to delay referral.”

Therefore, when a woman is experiencing gynaecological problems which are symptomatic of gynaecological cancer, their GP would be expected to refer them to the appropriate specialist without needing to conduct a smear test.

Early diagnosis of cancer is a major priority for this Government in helping us to improve cancer survival.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England offers screening to women aged 50 to 64 every five years to help detect and treat any cervical abnormalities at an early stage. Public Health England continues to work with NHS England to develop a system of performance improvement to increase screening coverage amongst all eligible age groups, particularly in disadvantaged communities. We fully support efforts to warn women aged 50 to 64 about the risks of missing their appointments, as it is important that women above vaccination age realise that cervical screening is the best way to prevent cervical cancer.

In April 2012 the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) gave its support for a pilot to assess the value of using human papilloma virus (HPV) testing as primary screening for cervical disease, rather than the currently used cytology test. The pilot is establishing the feasibility of using HPV as the primary screen for cervical disease in order to achieve better outcomes for women, while minimising over-treatment and anxiety, and whether it is practical to roll out nationally. The UK NSC will open a public consultation shortly on whether HPV as primary screening for cervical disease should replace the currently used cytology test.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is in the process of updating the “Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer” (2005) to ensure that it reflects latest evidence and can continue to support general practitioners (GPs) to identify patients with the symptoms of suspected cancer, including gynaecological cancers and urgently refer them as appropriate. Women under 25 who are concerned about their risk of developing cervical cancer should contact their GP.

A cervical screening test is primarily used for screening purposes, and is unlikely to be appropriate when a woman has gynaecological issues that are symptomatic of cancer.

When a woman is experiencing gynaecological problems which are symptomatic of gynaecological cancer, their GP would be expected to refer them to the appropriate specialist without needing to conduct a screening test.

The Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP) Scientific Reference Group (SRG) keeps the evidence on prostate cancer screening under review, and has not yet seen compelling evidence that screening should be offered to high risk groups.

The PCRMP is in place to ensure that men over 50 without symptoms of prostate cancer can have a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test free on the national health service after careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the test and after a discussion with a general practitioner.

The patient information sheets on PSA testing make it clear that the risk of prostate cancer is greater for men with a familial history of prostate cancer and black-African and black-Caribbean men.

The National Cancer Action Team (NCAT) previously highlighted the increased risk of prostate cancer in black men through the ‘Cancer Does Not Discriminate’ campaign, including distributing over 200,000 health supplements and an editorial in The Voice newspaper.

In 2011, the Department, NCAT, North East London Cancer Network and Prostate Cancer UK worked with NHS Newham and Barts Health Care Trust to pilot the Newham Prostate Health Drop-in Clinic at the Newham African-Caribbean Resource Centre. 322 men had a consultation at the clinic, 59 were referred to secondary care and nine new diagnoses of early stage prostate cancer were made.

The learning gained from a formal evaluation of the pilot was shared widely with stakeholders within London and across England, including NHS England. The pilot won the 2013 Civil Service Diversity and Equality Award for Understanding and Engaging with Communities.

The Department is represented on the multi-disciplinary PCRMP SRG and the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group, along with representatives from clinicians, professional bodies, academics, the voluntary sector and patient groups.