To ask the Minister of Health to detail any actions his Department is taking to ensure older people with health conditions exacerbated by cold weather have access to emergency support and necessary medical care during extreme weather events.

HSC trusts have in place emergency planning response plans and oversight structures as part of major incident planning and this includes contingencies for extreme weather events

HSC trusts have a comprehensive list of service users who are deemed to have health vulnerabilities who will be supported and contingency arrangements put in place in the event of a power cut such as those dependent on ventilators, respirators, enteral feeding and pressure relieving mattresses.

HSC trusts active response teams can be mobilised to support service users who are in receipt of home care, district nursing services and community-based equipment. Home care providers will advise the trusts of any service users who are found in need of additional supports. Trusts also engage with all care homes to offer support.

It is also acknowledged that any power outages and damage to the road network can necessitate a community response. HSC trusts work with NIE to identify vulnerable individuals and agree a co-ordinated response.