On Thursday 5 March 2020, Thatcher Room, Portcullis
House
Watch evidence session live
MPs will question the Chief
Medical Officer Professor Chris Witty on how well prepared the UK
is to deal with the impact of a possible coronavirus global
pandemic.
The CMO for England, the UK
Government’s Chief Medical Adviser, will be asked to detail
current planning to deal with an upsurge in cases of coronavirus,
preventative measures to safeguard public health, options for
containing the virus and how prepared the NHS is to deal with a
major outbreak. It is the first hearing of the new Health and
Social Care Committee.
Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for
England, will also
give evidence.
Health and Social Care Committee Chair Rt Hon
MP said:
“We’re seeing a daily global increase in fatalities and
spread of the coronavirus. It’s crucial that the government acts
urgently to ensure that the NHS is well prepared to deal with a
major outbreak here in the UK.
“Lives will be saved in future by the planning that’s
happening now. The Health and Social Care Committee is losing no
time in calling in the Chief Medical Officer to scrutinise
emergency plans that would halt and contain the spread of the
virus.
“The social and economic consequences for our country
cannot be underestimated and we will be looking to government and
public health leaders to set out clearly a plan of action to deal
with a potential crisis.”
ENDS
Evidence session: witness on Thursday 5
March:
From 09.00
-
, Chief Medical Officer
for England, UK government’s Chief Medical Adviser and head of
the public health profession
-
Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for
England
