Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on vulnerable groups of self-isolation as a result of the outbreak of covid-19.

In these extraordinarily challenging times, the Government has asked specialist clinical teams to identify their patients who fit the criteria for moderate and high-risk groups. High-risk people will be shielded and provided with a package of care that will hopefully support their needs.

The Government has published guidance which includes information on self-distancing for vulnerable people, shielding and protective measures for vulnerable people and guidance on looking after your mental health. More information on this guidance can be found at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19