Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of issuing guidance to allow people admitted to hospital who are (a) vulnerable, (b) suffering mental health deterioration and (c) unable to speak English to be accompanied by a member of their family.

The current guidance, published on 13 October 2020, recommends that patients may be accompanied where appropriate and necessary to assist their health and/or communication needs, providing essential support to patients in a COVID-19 secure way.