Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to provide mental health support for non-clinical front line workers helping to tackle the covid-19 outbreak.

‘Our Frontline’ - a collaboration between Mind, Samaritans, Shout and Hospice UK - provides information, emotional support and access to a crisis text service for people working on the frontline.

In addition, the Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a comprehensive emotional, psychological and practical support package for all NHS staff, including non-clinical frontline workers, during and following the COVID-19 response. This currently includes: free access to well-being apps, a confidential staff support helpline, and a dedicated helpline offering bereavement support. The Department is working to extend this package of support to the social care workforce.