Pandemic Planning
The provision of a seemingly effective vaccination program, complimented with public information, seems to be making a positive impact on the current strain of the Swine Flu virus. However, Government Health bodies are remaining vigilant in monitoring the current strain to ensure new variants are quickly identified, with information being passed back to the pharmaceutical companies to further enhance the effectiveness of their vaccines. Therefore the World Health Organisation has still maintained their high alert level. As such, there is still considerable uncertainty around the possible impact from a health perspective. Although the current strain is seemingly causing mild to moderate symptoms in those who catch it (except for those identified as vulnerable with an underlying health condition where things look like they are far more serious), it is still unclear if a new variant is possible. Expert opinion is at present divided over how this may change over time and how external factors may influence the virus. It is agreed by key NHS organisations that the UK should remain vigilant during the current, and for future, Pandemics.
On a local level, we mustn't become complacent. The advice is to utilise this time to ensure that our plans are robust enough to manage incidents of this nature. It is vital that they are not developed in isolation, as close collaboration is needed with many stakeholders (including key clients and local government organisations), if essential services are to be maintained across all key sectors and contractual compliance achieved. It is not usually too challenging for most organisations to address Pandemic Planning, given the right guidance and support.
For planning purposes, reports of previous pandemics do give valuable information on the likely range of the impact and it's fair to say there are a number of measures organisations can, and should take, to ensure both compliance with safe working practices and continuation of services. Indeed directors have a ‘duty of care' under H&S legislation and the Companies Act to ensure an adequate organisational response is developed and implemented. Faced with significant interest on this point alone we have responded to client demand with a 1 day Pandemic Workshop aimed at all organisations to assist with preparing for and understanding the Policy, HR, Containment and Business Continuity Planning aspects associated with Pandemic preparations.
Beeches Consulting has experience in all aspects of Pandemic Planning particularly with the NHS for both Primary Care and Acute Trusts and we are well versed with the specific planning requirements associated with Pandemic Planning. Unlike a typical Business Continuity Incident, a Pandemic affects all areas of operations at the same time and will require special handling from an HR perspective.
Beeches Consulting can assist organisations with all areas of Pandemic Planning. In the first instance we often suggest that we hold one of our Pandemic workshops at your own offices. The day is designed to be non intrusive with the morning session typically consisting of a number of brief 1-1 interviews with key internal stakeholders and during the afternoon we facilitate a workshop with the appropriate members of the management team to review where you are today and to produce draft plans of what needs to be done.
For more information concerning specific steps and measures you can take to assist your organisation in preparing for, and coping with, the effects of a flu pandemic please don't hesitate to contact us.
