Measures to enable immunocompromised and immunosuppressed patients to live with covid-19

Early day motion 1270, tabled 6 June 2023 by Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 18 members.

That this House regrets the continued failure of Government to protect people who have moderate to severe immune compromise from covid-19 infection, by failing to make Evusheld available on the NHS when it was at its most effective against covid strains; notes with alarm the disbandment of the Enhanced Protection Programme, Covid-19 Antivirals and Therapeutics Taskforce, ONS Covid-19 Infection Survey and the closure of Covid Medicine Delivery Units since 31 March 2023; deeply regrets that patients have had to cancel routine medical appointments and surgery in fear of potentially lethal covid infection; further regrets that many patients are entering a fourth year of shielding or social distancing, losing out on employment and opportunities; applauds the campaigning efforts of Evusheld for the UK and Forgotten Lives UK, and the many patient groups calling for action; further notes with alarm that the spring booster vaccination programme has not been adequately promoted; also notes with alarm new NHS advice that, from 27 June 2023, immunocompromised patients will no longer be automatically contacted by the NHS about treatments after reporting a positive covid result; notes the engagement of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence with patient advocacy groups to accelerate access to effective drugs and treatments; and calls on the Government to urgently establish a vulnerable patients task force to accelerate access to effective drugs and treatments for immunocompromised patients and to develop a strategy to enable people who have moderate to severe immune compromise from covid-19 infection, to live with covid.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 6, Labour 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 2, DUP 1, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.