§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many primary care trusts have fully developed plans to deal with(a) chemical, (b) biological, (c) radioactive and (d) nuclear emergencies; [82163]
(2) how many PCTs have fully developed plans to deal with CBRN emergencies. [82580]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answers 21 November and 25 November]The main health response to a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) emergency will involve the ambulance services and hospital sector where there has been an overt deliberate release.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) took on overall emergency planning responsibilities from 1 October 2002. All PCTs are required to prepare major incident plans. The Department will shortly be reviewing their progress.
A programme of work is underway to support PCTs in developing their major incident plans and response arrangements. This is led by the regional directors of public health (RDsPH) and regional health emergency planning advisers. RDsPH have been tasked to ensure that PCTs have an all hazards approach in place for dealing with major incidents. This will draw upon the expertise of the relevant agencies such as the regional chemical incident provider units, the Public Health Laboratory Service, the communicable disease surveillance centre, consultants in communicable disease control and the National Radiological Protection Board.