Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability to treat other conditions, including (1) HIV and (2) tuberculosis.

Sexual and reproductive health services are open. They have reduced their face-to-face appointments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection but they will be able to see urgent, priority or vulnerable clients in person. Services are also maintaining access during this time through scaling up on online services. This can be achieved through a variety of routes, such as increasing eligibility through current provision or utilising a neighbours’ service for residents of another local authority. Public Health England is also seeking to establish a national framework for online sexual and reproductive health services that local areas can choose to commission for their residents.

NHS England has published a number of specialty guides to help hospital departments continue essential care for patients within their speciality, whilst supporting the wider hospital and community in providing care for patients with COVID-19. On 26 March 2020, NHS England published a letter about the importance of maintaining the provision of tuberculosis services during the COVID-19 pandemic.