‘Uncapped’ capital funds available for coronavirus response

The Department of Health and Social Care is “inviting bids from NHS organisations” for new facilities, such as isolation pods, Matt Hancock told Parliament.

He said this could include “the creation of further isolation areas and other necessary facilities”. The department will “very rapidly assess those bids”, he said.

“This will be new money to those NHS organisations that are bidding for it. We haven’t put a cap on it,” Mr Hancock added.

GPs can also bid for the funding, but the health and social care secretary reiterated advice that people who suspect they have coronavirus should not go to their GPs, but remain at home and call NHS 111.