To ask the Minister of Health what advice he would provide to parents or caregivers to ensure they can access assistance for children with complex needs in an emergency situation.

Each HSC Trust has a Children’s With Disability Team, which provides assessment, services and support to children with disability and complex needs in accordance with individually assessed need.

The HSC Trust’s Children’s With Disability Teams work with parents and families of children with disability to ensure the holistic needs of the child(ren) are met.

Should an emergency situation arise that relates to support required from social services and is outside the normal working hours of the HSC Trust Children With Disability Team (i.e. Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm) - the Regional Emergency Social Work Service should be contacted by parents / carers for advice, assistance and support.

If an emergency situation occurs for children with complex needs that requires urgent medical attention – parents or carers should contact the emergency health services for immediate assistance (i.e. Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Hospital A & E).