Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make available free covid-19 tests for people visiting friends and family in (a) hospitals and (b) care homes.

Most visitors are no longer required to test before entering a care setting. Visitors to hospitals and care homes are asked to take necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, in line with the guidance for the general population.

Visitors who provide personal care to care home residents may be asked to test before entering, up to twice weekly if visiting more than twice, with free lateral flow device tests available. Symptomatic testing continues to be available for those in social care settings.