Influenza Pandemic Planning
Guidance
A revised Northern ireland Contingency Plan for Health Response for an Influenza Pandemic issued on 25 November 2008. This document will be accompanied by a range of supporting guidance to assist pandemic planning in: acute hospitals; maternity services; mental health services; social care; and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. 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
Guidance for Personal Social Services Providers in the Statutory and Indepenent 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 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)
On the 22nd November 2007, the Secretary of State for Health launched a revised National Framework for Pandemic Flu for consultation. An ethical framework has also been issued to assist planners in making the difficult decisions brought about by a pandemic. This guidance is available by clicking on the links below.
Pandemic Flu Planning Bulletin
The Flu Planning Team in DHSSPS uses its publication entitled ‘Pandemic Influenza Planning Bulletin - Update for HSC in Northern Ireland’ to inform and advise on progress in the health related aspects of pandemic planning. The January 2009 issue of this bulletin can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Pandemic Flu Bulletin (PDF 142KB)
Travel Advice on H5NI
The DHSSPS (Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety), DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), and HM Revenue & Customs in Northern Ireland have recently produced a leaflet (PDF 63 KB) and a poster (PDF 62 KB) giving advice to people who may be traveling to, or returning from, areas/countries affected by highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1). Please consult these information resources for further information.
Latest advice relating to travel to or from countries affected by H5N1 can also be accessed through the website of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office www.fco.gov.uk
and the website of the National Travel Health Network www.nathnac.org.
and the website of the National Travel Health Network www.nathnac.org.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 Critial 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.
