Hearing Impairment: Coronavirus

(asked on 28th August 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish guidance on the use of PPE in social care settings for people who (a) are deaf and (b) have communication needs.


Answered by
Jo Churchill Portrait
Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 10th November 2020

It is critical that personal protective equipment (PPE) supply reflects equality needs. We are working to understand the different types of PPE that may be needed by those with protected characteristics (as covered under equalities legislation) and how best to distribute that PPE, to address equality for health and social care workers.

The Government recognises that some health and care workers have reported difficulties with the practical use of some PPE. We are committed to understanding the needs of frontline staff, including those for people with different protected characteristics.

We are currently piloting the use of clear masks in social care settings via Local Resilience Forums.

Reticulating Splines