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 (a) support and (b) protect BAME (i) NHS staff and (ii) other key workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department has commissioned Public Health England to complete a rapid review to understand disparities in COVID-19 infection across the population. This will include looking at the impact on different ethnic groups and occupations - as well as by deprivation, age, and sex. The report will suggest recommendations for further steps that should be taken to reduce disparities in risk and outcomes from COVID-19 on the population.

In advance of Public Health England’s review, and on a precautionary basis, NHS England and NHS Improvement have recommended that all National Health Service organisations undertake appropriate risk assessments for their Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and make appropriate arrangements to support and protect them. The Department is also working to support the care sector to ensure the safety of all staff in social care.

All NHS and social care staff can access emotional, psychological and practical support.