Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve infection control in care homes.

The Department, NHS England, Public Health England and Care Quality Commission co-published Admission and Care of Residents during COVID-19 Incident in a Care Home guidance on 2 April 2020. This guidance sets out infection control and cohorting advice to care homes, which providers should follow to ensure that they have the confidence to receive and support residents. A copy of the guidance is attached.

Following publication of the Adult Social Care Action Plan on 15 April 2020, we are reviewing the Admission and Care of Residents during COVID-19 Incident in a Care Home guidance.

This is an unprecedented global pandemic and we are constantly reviewing our guidance in line with scientific advice. We continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that any changes to guidance are made in conjunction with them. As policy develops, we will continue to update the relevant guidance.