New procedures will be brought in to give people the chance to say goodbye to any loved ones dying from coronavirus, the Health Secretary has announced.
Family members have been unable to be at the bedside of those dying from the virus in recent weeks due to fears over transmission.
But in today's daily Downing Street press conference, the Health Secretary said the government would be looking to bring in new measures.
Mr Hancock announced new procedures so that “wherever possible” people will be given the “chance to say goodbye” to loved ones dying with coronavirus.
The Health Secretary said “wanting to be with someone you love at the end of their life is one of the deepest human instincts”, and said he wept at reports of 13-year-old Ismail dying without a parent at his bedside.
“I’m pleased to say that working with Public Health England, the care sector and many others, we are introducing new procedures so we can limit the risk of infection while wherever possible giving people’s closest loved ones the chance to say goodbye.”
He also announced the government will prevent "do not resuscitate" orders being applied in a "blanket fashion".
In the press conference, Mr Hancock also announced new measures for the social care sector following a string of reports in recent days it had been "slipping through the net".
The plans included increased testing and improved access to protective equipment as well as measures designed to help social care workers enjoy similar benefits to NHS staff.
Mr Hancock said a supply network of “unprecedented scale” would help get personal protective equipment to care home staff.
And he announced a new “single brand” with a badge for care workers, which he said may help them access similar perks to NHS staff.
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