The UK Influenza Preparedness Strategy 2011

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The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011 describes the Government's strategic approach for responding to an influenza pandemic. It updates the clinical, health and scientific advice and information contained in 'Pandemic flu: a national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic 2007' and replaces that document



http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_131040.pdf

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/DH_130901

 

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Re: The UK Influenza Preparedness Strategy 2011

UK one of best prepared for pandemic

The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011, which aims to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the best-prepared countries in the world, was published today.

The updated plan has been developed following consultation with a range of health and social care professionals. It aims to create more flexibility and clearer communication between all parties involved in the Government response to a pandemic.

Secretary of State, Andrew Lansley, said: ?This Strategy sets out a clear framework to help planners in the NHS and other services to make sure we respond effectively to a flu pandemic.

?Good communications, strong preparations and close working with our health and social care professionals are key to ensuring the impact on services and to the public is kept to a minimum should a pandemic occur.?
The main phases of a pandemic

For the first time, the plan sets out the main phases of a pandemic and the likely scenarios:

low impact
moderate impact
high impact
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http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/11/pandemic/

 

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Re: The UK Influenza Preparedness Strategy 2011

Pandemic contingency plan advises business as usual strategy for UK


Britain would remain on a "business as usual" footing in the event of a global flu outbreak with no closing of borders, ban on mass gatherings or restrictions on public transport under the new national plan (pdf) for dealing with a pandemic.

There would also be no widespread school closures or public use of antivirals to prevent the disease under the strategy published by the four UK health departments on Thursday.

Although the NHS is being told to prepare for an extra 210,000 to 315,000 deaths over a 15-week period in a pandemic, the updated plan demands a "proportionate" response to an emergency and for the first time distinguishes between low, moderate and high-impact measures depending on the severity and spread of the virus.

Ministers appear determined to show what they regard as more measured, but not complacent, planning assumptions after the UK escaped lightly from scares over H5N1 bird flu in 1997 and 2003 and the first pandemic of the 21st century, the spread of H1NI swine flu in 2009.

In the UK, most people who caught H1N1 developed relatively mild illnesses. Its impact also varied, with London, the West Midlands and Glasgow experiencing extreme pressures on local health services before parts of north-west England and Northern Ireland had any cases.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/10/pandemic-plan-business-contingency-uk?newsfeed=true