Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Guidance on care home visiting, last updated on 23 August 2021, will next be reviewed by his Department, in response to the vaccine rollout and modelling of likely covid-19 transmission in autumn 2021.

We regularly review and update guidance on care home visiting, based on clinical advice. We are undertaking a review of our visiting guidance ahead of the winter and expect to publish updated guidance shortly.

Given the increased risk to care home residents compared with the wider population of COVID-19, the Government has put in place additional measures to keep people living in care homes safe. The measures that currently remain in place in care homes include testing, personal protective equipment and enhanced infection prevention and control measures. These measures are in place to protect residents and to facilitate safe visiting opportunities throughout the autumn and winter.