PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Coronavirus: Mental Health Services (4 May 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to offer psychological support to the family members of people who have died during the covid-19 lockdown and who are unable to attend funerals.

Asked by:
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour)

A number of charities and voluntary organisations provide a range of valued services for people experiencing bereavement, including Cruse Bereavement Care which provides a national helpline as does the National Bereavement Partnership COVID-19 Hub. For National Health Service staff, a confidential bereavement support line and other sources of support are available at the following link:

https://people.nhs.uk/help/

The Government is taking a cross-Government approach to address bereavement support, and what is needed to ensure that families and friends of those deceased get the support they need - particularly during this very difficult time.

We are working with the NHS, arm’s length bodies and other organisations to assess the increased need for psychological support as a result of COVID-19 and are committed to ongoing engagement with the voluntary sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work closely to assess how we can support charities in doing their important work.

Answered by:
Ms Nadine Dorries (Conservative)
13 May 2020