Emergency Response

In accordance with 'The Lead Government Department and its role - Guidance and Best Practice' prepared by Civil Contingencies Secretariat in March 2004, DHSSPS as an LGD is required to maintain a state of readiness and build resilience to allow it to lead effectively the consequence management response to such health emergencies where they occur in, affect, or have the potential to affect, Northern Ireland.  These principles have been endorsed by the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, in 'A Guide to Emergency Planning Arrangements in Northern Ireland', published by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).

This document codifies the Department's responsibilities as an LGD and sets out how to prepare for those responsibilities in today's challenges and those of tomorrow.  It may be referred to as the DHSSPS LGD Document.

Links to 'The Role of the DHSSPS as a Lead Government Department' (please note this document is currently undergoing its annual review process), and 'A Guide to Emergency Planning Arrangements in Northern Ireland' are contained below.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Emergency Response Plan (DHSSPS ERP) sets out, generically, how the Department will deploy and operate an effective and resilient response for any emergency for which it is designated the Lead Government Department (LGD) or how it will provide strategic health and social care policy advice or direction in support of the efforts of others, where another Department or its arms length body (ALB) is in the lead.

The DHSSPS ERP is consistent with 'The Northern Ireland Civil Contingencies Framework', in that an emergency is concerned with the consequences rather than with its cause or source, and is defined as 'an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the UK, the environment of a place in the UK or war, or terrorism, which threatens serious damage to the security of the UK'.

Links to 'The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Emergency Response Plan' (please note this document is currently undergoing its annual review process), and 'The Northern Ireland Civil Contingencies Framework' are contained below.