Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what training programmes are in place to equip healthcare professionals in England with the necessary skills to (1) test, and (2) treat, patients for Coronavirus.

We practise and prepare our response to disease outbreaks and follow tried and tested procedures, following the highest safety standards possible for the protection of National Health Service staff, patients and the public. Specific guidance on handling people with COVID-19 has been shared with NHS staff. Public Health England has also published online guidance for first responders and others who may have close contact with people with potential COVID-19.

The Government has published an Action Plan which outlines the steps the Government will take to manage COVID-19 if there turns out to be a sustained United Kingdom epidemic.