Emergency management in context - Emergency Management

Emergency Management
Health emergency management in context

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, a semi-autonomous body within the Department of Internal Affairs, is responsible for the administration of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management works with other agencies, such as the Ministry of Health, to facilitate and guide emergency planning activities.

District Health Boards are required by law to be part of their regional Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group. The Ministry of Health is also required under the Act to develop a national emergency management plan. This plan, the National Health Emergency Plan, is aligned with the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan and Strategy. The Ministry has an Emergency Management team which works on emergency management projects that will either lead or support a national response.

Health and Disability providers are required under the Health and Disability Services Safety Act 2000 to have major incident and emergency plans. Other providers not covered by the act are not required by law to have emergency plans in place but it may be part of their contract to have one. Sound business practice dictates that providers at least have a robust service continuity plan to respond to any emergency situation.

Page last updated: 11 March 2009