Pandemic and Flu Planning
Helping Practices Prepare For A Pandemic
The Royal College of General Practitioners has set up a group
jointly with the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the
British Medical Association to look at ways of helping GPs and
their practices prepare for a
pandemic.
The Emergency Planning Group comprises experts on health
preparedness from across the UK and aims to publish practical
advice, guidance and tools for practices. Documents on Service
Continuity Planning and Infection Control Guidelines are available
here and on the
BMA website.
New Pandemic Guidance
Operational guidance for GPs is currently being developed by
the RCGP, the BMA and the Department of Health. The guidance
will be released before the end of 2008.
Other Pandemic Guidance
Pandemic Planning Documents
Further examples of Pandemic Planning Documents NEW
Background Information
The Royal College of General Practitioners has stated that GP
practices should have service continuity plans for reasons of
clinical governance and business planning. This view has been
endorsed by the GPC. Most practices are now in the process of
considering what plans need to be put in place in the event of an
influenza pandemic.
The joint RCGP/GPC Emergency Planning Group (Pandemic
Influenza) have produced a framework that practices can use to
build their own plans, together with a worked example and a
PowerPoint toolkit to help practices in developing their own
plans. In the near future the group will also be working with
the Department of Health on overall pandemic planning and will
jointly produce information for both patients and
professionals.
Practices are very welcome to use the planning framework, but
they should be aware that it is intended only to be used as a guide
for practices, and that most practices may want to amend the
framework to meet their own needs. In light of this, the
framework and guidance can help stimulate discussion amongst
practice staff to assist in drawing up their own plans.
In the event of a pandemic, or any major incident, practices
will need to liaise with their neighbouring practices, their
primary care organisation, and other healthcare providers.
Practices are urged to share and discuss their plans with other
relevant stakeholders.
Lessons from Elsewhere
Australia
Information on preparedness planning in Australia. Melbourne
Division of General Practices guide on
Avian Influenza is designed to assist general practices in
Australia to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.