Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people discharged from hospital following treatment for covid-19 (a) have their nutrition and hydration needs met and (b) receive treatment for malnutrition and dysphagia.

Some NHS services were temporarily suspended whilst we concentrated on dealing with COVID-19. Now, as a result of the measures put in place, we appear to have come through the peak of new cases being reported and it has been decided to begin the ‘reset’ of services across the National Health Service, including nutrition and dietary services. Decisions on how to do this will be taken locally, based on local demand. The NHS issued guidance to NHS service providers on 29 April outlining the next steps in the NHS response to COVID-19.

The ongoing care and support a patient will require from the NHS and adult social care services is considered as part of the discharge process. This includes consideration of ongoing nutrition and hydration requirements as appropriate.