By email
Ref: 09/12/30/kk/388
Health Protection Agency
Communications
Mr Wyllie
Public Information Access
[email address]
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ
28 January 2010
Tel +44 (0)20 8327 6920
Fax +44 (0)20 8327 6633
www.hpa.org.uk
Email: [Health Protection Agency request email]
Dear Mr Wyllie
Re: Response to Audit Scotland report
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 30 December 2009
regarding the plans the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has formulated since the
‘
Improving civil contingencies planning’ publication to keep Category 1 responders in
Scotland informed of the HPA’s work. Under section 1 (1) (a) of the act I can confirm
that we do hold the information you require.
No new plans have been formulated by the HPA since August 2009.
The HPA is not classified as a Category 1 Responder in Scotland under the Civil
Contingencies Act 2004, so the HPA does not have direct representation on the
Scottish Strategic Co-ordination Groups as it does on the English Local Resilience
Forums and Regional Resilience Forums.
Under the CCA Act 2004 Schedule 1 Part 2, Section 17 states that the Health
responder is:
“A Health Board constituted under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland)
Act 1978 (c. 29)”.
However, the HPA does routinely share its emergency preparedness plans with the
corresponding agency in Scotland, Health Protection Scotland, as well as with the
Scottish Executive. The HPA also provides advice and support on request to the
Scottish health community on a wide range of health protection issues.
The agency does have radiation protection functions as specified in section 3 of the
Health Protection Act 2004 which cover the whole of the UK.
In relation to radiation emergencies, HPA has not initiated any plans in response to
the specific audit referred to in the inquiry.
I hope you have found this information useful, however, if you are dissatisfied with
this response and would like a copy of the HPA complaints procedure then please
contact Mr George Stafford, Complaints Manager at: Health Protection Agency, 61
Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ.
Please note that you have the right to an independent review by the Information
Commissioner’s Office if a complaint cannot be resolved through the HPA complaints
procedure. The Information Commissioner’s Office can be contacted by writing to
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire
SK9 5AF.
Please contact me if you require any further information or assistance.
Yours sincerely
Leigh Kelly
Freedom of Information Officer
Health Protection Agency
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