Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to help ensure that care home residents have access to (a) medical assessments and (b) treatment irrespective of age.

Throughout the pandemic we have been working closely with the sector and public health experts to put in place guidance and support for adult social care. Primary care and community health services are key to ensuring care homes have the clinical support they need. As part of the care home support package announced on 15 May, the National Health Service has committed that this includes timely access to clinical advice for care home staff and residents, a named clinical lead for every care home, proactive support for residents through personalised care and support planning, and remote monitoring of residents with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

On 1 May, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) were also asked to take immediate steps to implement the delivery of consistent weekly care home ‘check ins’. These check ins are to review patients identified as a clinical priority for assessment and care, drawing on general practice and community services staff. They should include appropriate and consistent medical oversight and input from a general practitioner and/or geriatrician.