Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
DHSC told us it recognised that advising people to stay inside and away from society...
Conclusion
DHSC told us it recognised that advising people to stay inside and away from society does have risks as well as benefits. Of those surveyed, some 36% reported worsening mental health and wellbeing while shielding.14 Charities also told us of the impact of lockdown on people not categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable people. They reported how the over 70s and the blind and partially sighted, who were not advised to shield, and therefore not eligible for support through the Programme, struggled to access food. The Royal National Institute for the Blind wrote that the government’s ‘one size fits all’ approach left many blind and partially sighted people behind.15 Identifying all clinically extremely vulnerable people
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
1.3 There are other non-clinically vulnerable groups who also faced difficulties during the pandemic. It was not appropriate to advise these groups to shield, and consequently were not eligible for shielding support, but other support was and is available, including: • the Non-Shielding Vulnerable Priority Supermarket Delivery Referrals Service allows local authorities and charity partners to refer vulnerable individuals not on the shielded patient list for priority access to some supermarket delivery slots • local authorities were also able to refer non-shielding vulnerable people to NHS Volunteer Responders for support with basic tasks such as shopping, and medicines deliveries, and • other non-clinical vulnerable groups had separate programmes of support during the pandemic, such as Everyone In that supported rough sleepers. Support for non-shielding groups was outside the scope of the National Audit Office (NAO) report, and this wider support was not discussed in the Committee hearing. 1.4 As part of future preparedness measures, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will work with other government departments to consider the need to identify and support non-clinically vulnerable groups in the event of a future pandemic.