Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what actions they took following the conclusion of Exercise Cygnus.

The lessons identified from Exercise Cygnus continue to be considered by the Government and a range of stakeholders, including expert advisory groups and local emergency planners.

Working across Government and with stakeholders the lessons from Exercise Cygnus, along with expert advice, have informed our preparedness. Developments include strengthening health and care sector plans to surge and flex systems and resources beyond normal operations and stockpiling personal protective equipment specifically for an influenza pandemic.

Plans for the discharge of patients who no longer need acute care follow the ‘Discharge to Assess’ model; wherever possible, people who are clinically ready will be supported to return to their place of residence, where assessment of longer-term needs will take place. The safety of residents and staff is always a priority and patients should not be discharged unless it is clinically safe to do so.

COVID-19 hospital discharge service requirements was published on 19 March 2020. These requirements follow the ‘Discharge to Assess’ model. A copy is attached.