Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of online A&E appointment slots to reduce the volume of people physically attending A&E units during the covid-19 outbreak.

NHS 111 is trialling a new programme to book appointments for patients before they attend urgent and emergency care services. The booking system will enable a better flow of patients into emergency departments and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. It has received broad support from the royal colleges and patient groups.