Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what protocols are in place to ration medical equipment if necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of our concerted national efforts to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, the Department is working closely with industry, the National Health Service and others in the supply chain to help ensure patients can access the medicines and medical devices and equipment they need. Precautions are in place to reduce the likelihood of future shortages, including management of demand.

The Department shares regular information about impending supply issues and management plans with the NHS via networks in primary and secondary care and will liaise with relevant patient groups about issues affecting specific medicines, medical devices and equipment.