Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has provided to care homes on ensuring that residents are able to receive family member visits on a regular basis as lockdown restrictions are eased during the covid-19 outbreak.

Updated guidance was published on 6 April which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus/update-on-policies-for-visiting-arrangements-in-care-homes

Every care home should ensure that each resident can nominate up to two named people who can have regular, indoor visits. Residents with higher care needs can also nominate an ‘essential care giver’. They will be able to visit more often in order to provide essential care. They will have the same testing and personal protective equipment arrangements as care home staff so that they can also provide extra support.