Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to relax the four hour A&E target to enable patients to be tested for covid-19 before transfer to other health care providers.

The accident and emergency (A&E) operational standard is that at least 95% of patients attending A&E should be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

We have been clear from the outset we expect COVID-19 to have a pronounced effect on the National Health Service and the latest published data has shown that A&E attendances are much reduced.

There are no plans to relax the A&E target, but we are continuing to take every step necessary to bolster the NHS’s resilience so dedicated NHS staff can continue to provide the best possible care for those who need it most. Hardworking staff are working round the clock to test and treat patients with COVID-19.