Oral Answers to Questions

Liz Kendall Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd June 2020

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Helen Whately Portrait Helen Whately
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My hon. Friend makes an important point. I know that the current restriction on visiting is hard for residents in care homes and their families, and has a real impact on health and wellbeing. We are updating our visitor guidance and intend to publish it soon.

Liz Kendall Portrait Liz Kendall (Leicester West) (Lab)
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I, too, wish the Minister a very happy birthday.

I am sure the Minister will agree that lessons must be learned from what has happened so far, because the virus is not over for social care. With 13,375 deaths from covid-19 in care homes, what does she think she should have done differently?

Helen Whately Portrait Helen Whately
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The hon. Lady is absolutely right that there will be a time when we will look back and learn lessons, and I wish that not so many people had died in social care, but right now we are looking ahead. We are making sure that we have in place the plans to support the social care sector through the months ahead, and we are also pressing ahead with work on social care reform.