On 1 April 2021, Helen Hayes (Labour, Dulwich and West Norwood) asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care the written question, “…what assessment he has made of the effect of the Infection Control Fund on supporting care homes with their infection prevention control measures during the covid-19 outbreak; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of that fund closing on 31 March 2021” and “…what plans he has to extend the Infection Control Fund for care homes; and if he will make a statement”.
Helen Whatley, Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care) responded to the written question and said the following:
“Since May 2020, the Infection Control Fund has supported adult social care providers to take several key measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission within and between care settings. The Department has been monitoring reporting from local authorities, which has shown that providers have been able to use this funding to take these key measures, such as paying staff their normal wages while self-isolating and limiting staff movement between settings.
It will be important to continue rigorous infection control measures beyond 31 March as we begin to cautiously ease restrictions and reintroduce visits to care homes. On 18 March 2021, the Government announced an extra £341 million for adult social care to pay for infection prevention control measures and support rapid testing to the end of June 2021. Additionally, in 2021-22, local authorities are expected to receive estimated funding of around £3 billion to help manage the impact of COVID-19. This includes £1.55 billion of grant funding to meet additional service pressures, including adult social care.”
The written questions can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2021-03-18.171669.h&s=%22care+providers%22#g171669.r0
