Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Welsh Government on his Department's pandemic preparedness in November 2022.

We regularly engage with the devolved administrations, including on 7 November to discuss a range of issues in health and social care, including health protection during the winter.

The Department continues to plan and prepare for a range of pandemic and emerging infectious disease scenarios, including those caused by respiratory, contact and vector-borne pathogens and incorporating lessons learned from exercises and incidents, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pandemic Disease Capabilities Board was established in 2021 to enhance cross-United Kingdom pandemic disease preparedness and replaced the pre-COVID-19 cross-Government Pan ‘Flu Readiness Board. The Board’s membership comprises the four nations.