Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration he has given to the potential merits of using mobile phone alerts to warn of the dangers of cold water shock in hot weather.

Responsibilities for water safety sit with various Government departments and agencies. As part of its “Beat the Heat” campaign, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) includes a stay safe when swimming section, including links to the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s advice on cold water shock. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/beat-the-heat-hot-weather-advice/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather

In partnership with the Met Office, UKHSA provides early warning to the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector, and Government departments through the Weather-Health Alerting System. This happens when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population. Further information is available at the following link:

https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts

The Cabinet Office is responsible for emergency alerts which are considered for a range of risks under the National Risk Register. Local responders are able to request an emergency alert in their area. The Cabinet Office considers requests on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency alerts will only be issued when they meet the thresholds for use. There must be a risk to life in a defined area, with immediate action for the public to take to keep themselves safe. The criteria have been set intentionally high to avoid alert fatigue.