Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about support for the social care sector.

I completely agree that social care is at the front line of the fight with coronavirus, protecting vulnerable people and continuing to provide vital care in communities across the country.

Social work and social care staff have been included as key workers to ensure that they are able to continue their jobs without needing to take time out to look after their children at home. Emergency Legislation passed before Parliament closed empowered authorities to emergency register suitable people as regulated healthcare professionals, like nurses, paramedics, and social workers, to ensure vital continuity of care for vulnerable children and adults. Further, it provided indemnity insurance to ensure those providing healthcare service activity are legally protected for the work they are required to undertake as part of the COVID-19 response.

The Government has also made £2.9bn funding available, comprised of £1.6bn for local authorities across the country to ensure that they are able to deal with the impact of coronavirus on social care, and £1.3bn to enhance the NHS discharge process so patients who no longer need urgent treatment can return home safely and quickly.

My colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care have made it clear that health and social care staff supporting the coronavirus national effort will be prioritised for testing to ensure that they are able to carry out their vital roles on the frontline.

I fully support the social care sector and will continue to ensure that it at the forefront of consideration during this difficult time.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

Yours,

EDWARD LEIGH MP