Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions has he had with acute NHS Hospital Trusts on the safe management of patients presenting at A&E in winter 2020 with suspected (a) flu symptoms and (b) covid-19 symptoms.

The Government has taken unprecedented action to support the health and care system to respond to COVID-19 and to prioritise patient safety.

The Government will continue to support our health and care services and is working with the National Health Service, Public Health England, local government and other key stakeholders on planning, to take account of the risk this winter of seasonal influenza cocirculating with COVID-19.

The flu vaccination programme will be a critical part of preparing the United Kingdom for winter, and to manage pressures on the NHS should we have co-circulation of seasonal flu and COVID-19 this winter.

Best practice guidance on infection prevention and control has been issued to NHS trusts for implementation ahead of and throughout winter, including the operating framework for patients arriving at accident and emergency.

The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/secondary-care/infection-control/