The government accepts this recommendation. Recommendation 296 is about the government reviewing the provision of infection prevention and control measures to social care and ensuring that social care providers, particularly care homes, are able to conduct regular pandemic preparedness drills. The recommendation also focuses on ensuring that care homes have isolation facilities and social care providers are able to provide safe visiting for family and friends of care home residents. The government is committed to ensuring that social care providers have the support they need to protect people from infection, particularly in the event of a future pandemic. UKHSA and DHSC are working closely with social care providers to improve infection prevention and control measures, including providing training and resources for staff. The government is also working to ensure that care homes have the necessary isolation facilities to prevent the spread of infection and working to ensure that care home residents are able to receive safe visits from family and friends. ● In order to improve the availability of IPC training for social care staff, DHSC is funding a package of training that is available to all registered social care staff in England free of charge. ● The social care sector has also benefitted from the provision of free PPE from the government. This support is set to continue until March 2023. ● In addition, the government has launched a new scheme to support care homes to implement infection prevention and control measures. The Infection Control Fund (ICF) is providing funding to local authorities to support care homes to implement measures such as improving ventilation, purchasing PPE, and providing training for staff. ● DHSC also provides advice and guidance on care home visiting. Guidance is regularly updated to reflect the latest scientific evidence and best practice.