Influenza Pandemic Planning
UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011
An updated UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy was published on 10 November 2011. The new Strategy takes into account the experience from the H1N1 (2009) pandemic including the findings of the Independent Review chaired by Dame Deirdre Hine and the latest scientific evidence. To view this report please click on the link below.
Current information relating to pandemic influenza can be viewed on NI Direct by clicking the link below.
Report of the Northern Ireland Response to the 2009 Pandemic
A Learning From Experience Report of the 2009 pandemic was issued by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, on 8 November. To view this report please click on the link below.
Hine Review on the 2009 Influenza Pandemic
An independent review of the UK response to the 2009 influenza pandemic was completed in July 2010 by Dame Deirdre Hine, DBE FFPH FRCP . To view this review please click on the link below.
Guidance on pandemic preparedness
A revised Northern Ireland Contingency Plan for Health Response for an Influenza Pandemic was issued on 25 November 2008. This guidance will be reviewed and updated in light of the publication of the UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy and lessons learned from the Swine Flu response in Northern Ireland.
The Contingency Plan has a range of supporting guidance, detailed below, to assist pandemic planning. All of this guidance will be reviewed in light of changes to the plan.
The guidance is available by clicking on the links below.
Northern Ireland Contingency Plan and Appendices
- Northern Ireland Contingency Plan for Health Response for an Influenza Pandemic (PDF 710KB)
- Appendix 1 25% Health Care Impact (PDF 29KB)
- Appendix 1 35% Health Care Impact (PDF 28KB)
- Appendix 1 50% Health Care Impact (PDF 29KB)
Guidance on preparing Acute Hospitals in Northern Ireland
Guidance on preparing Maternity Services
To view the most up to date guidance on Swine Flu and Pregnancy from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists please use the link below.
Guidance on the provision of Healthcare in a Primary and Community Care setting in Northern Ireland
Guidance for Personal Social Services Providers in the Statutory and Independent Sector
Guidance on preparing Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland
Guidance for Health and Social Care Trusts regarding Human Resources
Guidance for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and their staff
Guidance for Dental Practitioners
- Covering Letter to Dental Practitioners on Pandemic Flu Guidance (PDF 749KB)
- Guidance for Primary Care Dental Staff (PDF 788KB)
- Delivery of and contract arrangements for Primary Care Dentistry (PDF 161 KB)
- Pandemic Influenza Business Continuity Plan for Dental Practices (PDF 70KB)
- Pandemic Flu for Dental Practices weekly record sheet (PDF 29.5KB)
Guidance for Nursing and Residential Homes
Guidance for Domiciliary Care Providers
Guidance for Third Sector Organisations
- Letter to Chief Executives of NICVA, VDA, CO3 (PDF 223KB)
- Third Sector Organisations Guidance (PDF 182KB)
Guidance on Managing Demand and Capacity in Health Care Organisations
Following endorsement for use in Northern Ireland by the DHSSPS Minister, a copy of the Department of Health document Pandemic Influenza: Managing Demand and Capacity in Health Care Organisations (Surge) was circulated with a covering letter to Chief Executives of stakeholder organisations on 15 May 2009. The covering letter and guidance is available by clicking on the links below.
- Letter to Chief Executives of PHA, HSCB, PCC & BSO (PDF 83KB)
- Pandemic Influenza: Managing Demand and Capacity in Health Care Organisations (Surge) (PDF 1.83MB)
Report of the Swine Flu Critical Care Clinical Group and Key Learning Points for Future Surge Planning
As part of learning from swine flu, an operational report has also been published from the Swine Flu Critical Care Clinical Group. This report builds on the work done to increase critical care capacity during the swine flu response and incorporates key learning points for future surge planning.
Ethical Framework
An ethical framework has also been issued to assist planners in making the difficult decisions brought about by a pandemic. The guidance is available by clicking on the links below.
Infection Control Guidance
DHSSPS endorses the infection control guidance which the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has produced for the health sector and available on the HPA's website.
Copies of the advice for Hospitals and Primary Care and the advice for Critical Care are included here for viewing and download.
- Guidance for infection control in Hospitals and Primary Care settings (PDF 614KB)
- Guidance for infection control in Critical Care (PDF 420KB)
The HPA have also produced infection control advice for non-health sectors and this is available on the HPA website.
