Sharon Hodgson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sharon Hodgson on 2015-10-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which agency is tasked with ensuring that mothers, infants and children are provided with adequate protection and support for appropriate feeding during emergencies; and if he will publish his Department’s policy or guidance documents to outline the steps to be taken in that direction.

Jane Ellison

Local emergency responders including Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service and Local Authorities are required under the Civil Contingences Act 2004 to assess the likelihood and impact of emergencies occurring in their local area, and to put in place appropriate plans to respond to these emergencies. This includes arrangements to evacuate and shelter large numbers of people, including vulnerable groups such as mothers with young infants. The Government publishes guidance on evacuation and shelter for local responders (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/274615/Evacuation_and_Shelter_Guidance_2014.pdf) which includes advice on the care and provision for vulnerable people.

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