Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the effect of outbreaks of chickenpox on (a) the availability of GP appointments, (b) hospital admissions, (c) transmission of that virus to healthcare workers.

In most cases, chickenpox (varicella) is a self-limiting condition which can safely be managed at home. We expect all families to follow the advice on the NHS.uk website.¹ The advice on NHS.uk includes at-risk populations and advises them to call 111. Chapter 34 of the Green Book² provides information on the management of at-risk individuals following significant exposure to chickenpox, including those who may transmit infections to those at risk (e.g. healthcare workers).

Notes:

^[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/

^[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/varicella-the-green-book-chapter-34