Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the change in the level of demand on care home staff required to provide covid-19 tests to visitors; and what steps he is taking to ensure that providers are able to access the staff they need.

We have issued guidance to help care homes enable safe visiting. Visitors will need to arrange visiting with the care home in advance.

The Infection Control Fund (ICF) is available for care homes to use for extra COVID-19 related costs including visiting. The ICF has been extended until March 2021, with an extra £546 million for the care sector.