Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effects on the (a) mental health and (b) social isolation of those who have been designated as clinically vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

We recognise the effect that social distancing and self-isolation may have on a person’s mental wellbeing, including those who are clinically vulnerable and self-isolating. We have published official guidance on mental health and wellbeing on GOV.UK and are promoting this through Every Mind Matters.

We are working with the National Health Service and Public Health England, service users, academics and the voluntary sector to gather evidence and assess the potential longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19 and plan for how to support the public’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the ‘recovery’ phase.