Emergency Planning for Disabled People — UK Guide

Emergency planning is often forgotten, but it can be life-saving during power cuts, severe weather, floods, medication problems, care breakdowns, evacuation, illness, hospital admission or loss of support.

GOV.UK advises people to make an emergency plan, identify emergency contacts, know where important documents are, and check eligibility for the Priority Services Register for extra support during power, gas or water supply interruptions.

 

1. Emergency Contacts

Everyone should have emergency contacts written down, not only stored on a phone.

Include:

  • Main carer or family contact
  • Neighbour or trusted friend
  • GP surgery
  • Pharmacy
  • Social worker or care coordinator
  • Care agency
  • NHS specialist team
  • Mental health crisis team
  • Utility providers
  • Housing provider or landlord
  • Local council adult social care
  • School, college or workplace contact
  • Vet or assistance dog contact if relevant

Keep copies:

  • On your phone
  • On paper near the front door
  • In your bag or wallet
  • With a carer or trusted person
  • In your emergency grab bag

 

2. Emergency Care Plan

An emergency care plan explains what support someone needs if normal care breaks down.

This is especially important if someone:

  • Needs help with personal care
  • Uses medical equipment
  • Needs medication at set times
  • Has seizures, diabetes, respiratory problems or allergies
  • Has mental health crisis needs
  • Has communication needs
  • Uses mobility equipment
  • Has an assistance dog
  • Relies on carers, PAs or family support

An NHS care and support plan should set out assessed support needs after a council social care assessment. The NHS explains that social services assess care needs and write up the support needed in a care and support plan.

Your emergency care plan should include:

  • Name, date of birth and NHS number
  • Conditions and disabilities
  • Medication and allergies
  • Communication needs
  • Mobility needs
  • Personal care needs
  • Behaviour or sensory needs
  • What helps during distress
  • What makes things worse
  • Emergency contacts
  • Care provider details
  • Equipment used
  • Backup care arrangements
  • Hospital passport if relevant
  • Advance care plan if relevant

Useful links:

 

3. Medication Planning

Medication planning is essential in emergencies.

Make sure you have:

  • A current medication list
  • Dosage instructions
  • Allergy information
  • Pharmacy contact details
  • Repeat prescription details
  • Emergency medication instructions
  • Information about controlled drugs if relevant
  • Storage instructions, such as fridge medication
  • Backup plan if medication runs out
  • Travel medication plan

Practical steps:

  • Keep at least several days of essential medication where possible.
  • Order repeat prescriptions early.
  • Keep medication in original packaging.
  • Ask your pharmacy about emergency supply rules.
  • Keep a paper list in your wallet, bag or emergency file.
  • Tell carers where emergency medication is kept.
  • If medication is life-critical, ask your GP or specialist team for written emergency advice.

Useful links:

 

4. Power Outages

Power cuts can be serious for people who rely on:

  • Powered wheelchairs
  • Hoists
  • Profiling beds
  • Ventilators
  • Oxygen equipment
  • Nebulisers
  • Feeding pumps
  • Fridge medication
  • Stairlifts
  • Communication devices
  • Electric doors
  • Telecare alarms
  • Internet-based phone lines

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free service for people who need extra help from energy, gas or water companies. GOV.UK says signing up can let suppliers know you need extra support during supply interruptions.

National Grid says the PSR provides extra help and support during power cuts for elderly, very ill or disabled people, or people who rely on power for medical equipment.

Useful links:

Power cut checklist:

  • Register with the Priority Services Register.
  • Keep phones and medical devices charged.
  • Have a torch, not candles where possible.
  • Keep backup battery packs charged.
  • Ask equipment suppliers about battery backup.
  • Keep emergency numbers written down.
  • Know how long medical equipment can run without power.
  • Plan where to go if your home becomes unsafe.
  • Tell your care agency if you rely on powered equipment.
  • Keep fridge medication guidance from your pharmacist.

 

5. Evacuation Planning

Evacuation planning matters if there is a fire, flood, gas leak, building problem or police/emergency service instruction to leave.

Plan for:

  • How to leave the home safely
  • Where mobility aids are kept
  • How wheelchair users will evacuate
  • Who can help
  • Where medication is stored
  • How to take essential equipment
  • How to transport assistance animals or pets
  • Accessible transport
  • Temporary accommodation needs
  • Communication needs
  • Sensory needs
  • Carer or PA support

If you live in flats, supported housing, temporary accommodation, care settings or social housing, ask about your Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, often called a PEEP.

Ask housing providers, landlords, care settings, workplaces, colleges or schools:

  • Is there an evacuation plan for me?
  • Who helps if lifts cannot be used?
  • Where is the safe refuge point?
  • Are alarms accessible?
  • Are visual or vibrating alarms available?
  • What happens at night?
  • What happens if carers are not present?
  • How are wheelchair users evacuated?
  • Can I practise the plan?

 

6. Severe Weather Support

Severe weather can include:

  • Heatwaves
  • Extreme cold
  • Storms
  • Flooding
  • Snow and ice
  • Thunderstorms
  • Drought
  • Poor air quality

The UKHSA Adverse Weather and Health Plan aims to protect people and communities from the health effects of adverse weather and build community resilience. It was updated on 22 April 2026.

UKHSA weather health alerts provide early warnings when adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and wellbeing.

Useful links:

Severe weather checklist:

  • Check weather warnings.
  • Keep medication and equipment accessible.
  • Keep warm during cold weather.
  • Keep cool during heatwaves.
  • Avoid unnecessary travel during warnings.
  • Ask neighbours or carers to check in.
  • Keep food and water available.
  • Charge phones and devices.
  • Keep emergency lighting ready.
  • Plan for care disruption.

 

7. Communication Needs in an Emergency

People may need communication support if they are:

  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Blind or partially sighted
  • Autistic
  • Non-speaking
  • Living with dementia
  • Living with learning disability
  • Experiencing mental distress
  • Affected by brain injury
  • Using communication aids

Prepare:

  • Communication passport
  • Easy read emergency card
  • BSL interpreter request
  • Text relay information
  • Large print medication list
  • Symbols or picture cards
  • Emergency contact card
  • Instructions for communication device

Useful links:

 

8. Emergency Grab Bag

A grab bag should be easy to find.

Include:

  • Medication list
  • Spare medication where safe and possible
  • Copies of prescriptions
  • Emergency contacts
  • Phone charger and power bank
  • Torch
  • Batteries
  • Small first aid kit
  • Bottled water
  • Snacks or specialist food
  • Spare glasses or hearing aid batteries
  • Incontinence products
  • Catheters or medical supplies
  • Communication cards
  • Copies of key documents
  • Warm clothing
  • Face coverings if needed
  • Assistance dog or pet supplies

 

9. Care Breakdown Planning

Care can break down because of illness, weather, staff shortages, transport problems or family emergency.

Plan:

  • Who is backup carer?
  • Can the care agency provide emergency cover?
  • Who holds spare keys?
  • Who knows medication routines?
  • Who can help with meals?
  • Who can help with personal care?
  • Who can contact social services?
  • Is there a carer’s emergency card scheme locally?
  • Is respite support available?

Useful links:

Contacts:

  • Carers UK Helpline: 0808 808 7777
  • Adult social care: contact your local council

 

10. Hospital Admission Planning

An emergency admission can be difficult if staff do not know your needs.

Prepare:

  • Hospital passport
  • Medication list
  • Allergy list
  • Communication needs
  • Sensory needs
  • Personal care needs
  • Mobility needs
  • Mental health crisis plan
  • Carer contact details
  • Reasonable adjustment requests
  • Assistance dog arrangements
  • Advance care plan if relevant

Ask the hospital for:

  • Accessible information
  • Support for carers
  • Reasonable adjustments
  • Safe discharge planning
  • Medication review
  • Care package review before discharge

 

11. Mental Health Crisis Planning

A crisis plan can help if someone becomes overwhelmed, unsafe or unable to cope.

Include:

  • Warning signs
  • What helps
  • What makes things worse
  • Medication
  • Emergency contacts
  • Crisis team details
  • Safe places
  • Preferred communication
  • Sensory needs
  • Carer or advocate contact
  • Risks to be aware of

Urgent contacts:

  • NHS 111
  • Emergency: 999
  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • Shout: text SHOUT to 85258
  • Local NHS crisis line through NHS 111 or local mental health services

 

12. Assistance Animals and Pets

If you have an assistance dog or pet, include them in emergency planning.

Prepare:

  • Food
  • Water
  • Medication
  • Vet details
  • Identification
  • Insurance details
  • Lead, harness or carrier
  • Emergency carer for the animal
  • Accessible transport plan

If evacuation is needed, tell emergency services the animal supports disability needs.

 

13. Housing, Landlord and Council Support

Ask your landlord, council or housing provider about:

  • Fire safety plan
  • PEEP or evacuation plan
  • Accessible alarms
  • Repairs affecting safety
  • Backup plan for lifts
  • Emergency contact process
  • Temporary accommodation accessibility
  • Severe weather welfare checks

Useful links:

Shelter helpline:

  • 0808 800 4444

 

14. Rights and Reasonable Adjustments

Disabled people may be entitled to reasonable adjustments from:

  • NHS services
  • Councils
  • Housing providers
  • Workplaces
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Transport providers
  • Emergency planning services
  • Courts and public bodies

This may include:

  • Accessible communication
  • Extra time
  • Home visits
  • Support person involvement
  • Accessible emergency accommodation
  • Adjusted evacuation plans
  • Alternative formats
  • Accessible appointment arrangements

Useful links:

EASS contact:

  • Telephone: 0808 800 0082
  • Textphone: 0808 800 0084

 

15. Emergency Plan Template

Use this layout:

Name:
Date of birth:
NHS number:
Address:
Main emergency contact:
Second emergency contact:
GP:
Pharmacy:
Conditions/disabilities:
Medication:
Allergies:
Communication needs:
Mobility needs:
Care needs:
Equipment needed:
Power-dependent equipment:
What helps in distress:
What must not happen:
Carer/PA details:
Care agency:
Social worker/care coordinator:
Assistance animal/pet details:
Evacuation support needed:
Where I would go if I had to leave home:
Reasonable adjustments needed:

 

 

Key Support Links

 

Quick Emergency Checklist

✓ Save emergency contacts on paper and phone
✓ Register for the Priority Services Register
✓ Keep medication list updated
✓ Prepare a care emergency plan
✓ Keep devices and power banks charged
✓ Plan for power cuts if using medical equipment
✓ Ask for a PEEP if evacuation could be difficult
✓ Check severe weather warnings
✓ Keep a grab bag ready
✓ Tell carers, family or neighbours what support you may need

 

 

 

 

 

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