Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional personal protective equipment he is making available to care homes in response to the new variant of covid-19.

Based on the current available evidence, Public Health England are not recommending a change to use of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE should be worn as per existing ‘How to work safely in care homes’ guidance and existing Infection Prevention Control measures should be robustly implemented and adhered to. Emerging evidence and data is continually monitored and reviewed and guidance will be amended accordingly if needed.

Following the initial announcement in the adult social care winter plan of free PPE provision to the adult social care sector for COVID-19 needs until March 2021, the scheme will now be extended until June 2021.