Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the role of Dispensing Appliance Contractors in the provision of key (a) products and (b) services to the NHS during the covid-19 pandemic; and what support his Department plans to provide intends to provide to ensure the provision of those contractors' services.

There are no known supply issues linked to COVID-19 for appliances routinely dispensed by Dispensing Appliance Contractors like wound dressings, stoma and incontinence appliances. We are working with the supply chain to ensure Dispensing Appliance Contractors can source these products and maintain supply to patients.

Dispensing Appliance Contractors like any other primary care providers should follow Public Health England’s guidance on COVID-19.