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<p>This is a devolved matter. We have set out below the actions that we have taken
in England.</p><p>We know that a large number of disabled people continue to rely
on friends, family and wider community support as they face difficulties accessing
food.</p><p>Where that is not possible, there are a number of options available for
people to access support. Individuals can request support from a volunteer via NHS
Volunteer Responders, who can shop on their behalf.</p><p>We are working with local
authorities, supermarkets and charities to ensure that vulnerable groups get the support
they need to access food and other essential supplies. These organisations are able
to sign-post people to commercial food delivery options, help them access priority
supermarket delivery slots or refer them to the NHS Volunteer Responder programme.</p><p>People
who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) can also register for support online
or via an automated helpline. As part of the registration process, we have asked individuals
to indicate whether they have unmet basic care needs, such as social care and social
contact needs. Local authorities are best placed to respond to these needs, and we
are sharing data with them to ensure vulnerable individuals get the support they need
while shielding.</p><p>The NHS has also made arrangements to have medicines delivered
to CEV people's homes by local community pharmacies or their dispensing doctor, where
no other person is able to collect the item from the pharmacy and deliver it to the
patient.</p><p>Where people who are CEV have asked for help accessing food, they have
been offered centrally provided food boxes and supermarkets have offered priority
delivery slots. Boxes will continue until the end of July and seven supermarkets have
confirmed that access to priority supermarket delivery slots will continue beyond
the end of July for those already signed up for support.</p><p>We have also made available
an additional £63 million to be distributed to local authorities in England to help
those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to COVID-19. Local
authorities are already working hard to support those who are vulnerable and this
additional funding will contribute to that work.</p>
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