Major Incident (Emergency) Planning - including Business Continuity and Pandemic Influenza
We all hope that a Major Incident (Emergency) does not happen, however with the increased risks facing society, it is now more important than ever to be aware of the possibility for such an event to occur.
Major Incident (Emergency)
A Major Incident (Emergency) may arise in a variety of ways:
- BIG BANG - A serious transport accident, explosion, or series of smaller incidents
- RISING TIDE - A developing infectious disease epidemic, or a capacity/staffing crisis
- CLOUD ON THE HORIZON - A serious threat such as a major chemical or nuclear release developing elsewhere and needing preparatory action
- HEADLINE NEWS - Public or media alarm about a personal threat
- INTERNAL INCIDENTS - Fire, breakdown of utilities, major equipment failure, hospital acquired infections, violent crime
- DELIBERATE RELEASE - Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials
- MASS CASUALTIES - casualty numbers that are beyond the capacity created by the local implementation of major incident plans
- PRE-PLANNED MAJOR EVENTS - Demonstrations, sports fixtures, air shows
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA)
In order to enhance resilience and address the increased risk, the Government introduced 'The Civil Contingencies Act 2004' (CCA) which came into force in 2005 and is in two parts:
- PART 1 - Local arrangements for civil protection
- PART 2 - Emergency powers
The CCA established a statutory framework of roles and responsibilities for local responders, who are classified by the act as either, Category 1 or Category 2 responders. Category 2 responders have a lesser set of duties than Category 1 responders.
NHS North Somerset is defined as a Category 1 responder under the CCA and therefore cooperates with other Category 1 and 2 responders as an active member of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum
Six Statutory Duties that affect NHS North Somerset:
- Cooperate with other local responders to enhance coodination and efficiency
- Ensure information is shared with other local responders to enhance coordination
- Carry out appropriate risk assessments
- Ensure appropriate emergency plans are available
- Ensure appropriate business continuity management arrangements are in place
- Ensure arrangements are in place to warn and inform the public in the event of an Emergency
What is the NHS North Somerset role in a major incident?
NHS North Somerset will invoke its Major Incident (Emergency) and/or Business Continuity Plans, in order to deliver its statutory functions as far as is necessary, or desirable, for the purpose of:
- Preventing a major incident
- Reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of a Major Incident
- Taking other actions which may arise from a major incident occurring
NHS North Somerset has three key areas of responsibility during a Major Incident (Emergency):
- The provision of healthcare for those affected by the incident; including psychological support
- The provision of prescription medicines to reception centres
- Assisting Acute Trusts to release patients from hospitals
This could include:
- Replacing missing medication and providing primary care services
- Undertaking health screening
- Proving information and advice to the public
- Arranging social and psychological support with the Local Authority and the local Mental Health NHS Trust
Support for Primary Care
In the aftermath of a Major Incident, General Practices will be the natural focus for health care in the community.
NHS North Somerset will support Primary Care Teams by:
- Deploying additional staff resources at the scene, to provide immediate social and psychological support for relative of those directly involved in the incident
- Routing and referring requests for information and advice through NHS Direct
- Assessing and treating minor injuries and minor medical emergencies
- Providing Healthcare advice to workers, health needs assessment and appropriate interventions for children and adults
Support for Acute Hospitals
When there are large numbers of injured after a major incident, the burden falls upon the Ambulance Services and Hospitals with A&E Departments.
To support local Acute Hospitals, our role will be:
To make available appropriately skilled and trained staff and/or health care facilities, at the right time and in the right place, for example:
Community Nurse Practitioners, Children's Nursing Teams, Health Centres
- To arrange social and psychological support within Acute Hospitals for patients, relatives and Hospital Staff
- To meet additional demands on Community Services, for example, District Nurses to provide a rapid response to ill patients and those with minor injuries to prevent the need for Hospital admission
- To receive early discharges and increase District Nurse and intermediate care activity
Provision of Health Care Services at Reception Centres
- Reception centre is the generic name given to all types of centre set up to accommodate those who have survived major incidents without obvious injury, or to shelter people who have been evacuated
- Reception centres will be set up by North Somerset Council and the Police. Those housed at Reception Centres are unlikely to be in need of immediate Hospital care. They may need first aid, emotional or practical support, screening before leaving the centre
Staff only docs on
Emergency Preparedness
eg business continuity - Fuel Disruption - Extreme or Severe Weather - Mass
Casualty
Seasonal Flu
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Useful Links
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