PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Care Homes: Visits (7 December 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the (a) financial and (b) logistical strain on care homes from the introduction of lateral flow testing to facilitate visits.

Asked by:
Taiwo Owatemi (Labour)

We understand that the pandemic continues to impose significant pressures on the social care sector and we keep funding under review. The Infection Control Fund (ICF) is available for care homes to use for additional COVID-19 related infection prevention and control costs. apply for support in reducing the rate of COVID-19 transmission. The ICF has been extended until March 2021, with an extra £546 million for the care sector to improve infection prevention and control, including enabling providers to put in place measures to support safe visiting.

Answered by:
Helen Whately (Conservative)
4 January 2021