Pandemic Flu
This is an epidemic of an influenza virus that spreads on a worldwide scale and infects a large proportion of the human population.
There is currently an outbreak of Swine Flu. The guidance on this page can be used to help businesses, families and communities cope with this situation.
For the most up to date information always check the NHS Norfolk web site.
What can go wrong for businesses?
If there is a pandemic in the UK, organisations will have to manage with a significantly reduced workforce. Some of the impacts will be:-
- Loss of staff resulting in unanswered calls and queries resulting in loss of customers
- Customer care levels decrease
- Key individuals with business knowledge are unavailable
What can businesses do?
There are actions that can be taken now to increase the resilience of your business. Consider the following:
- Increase cleaning regime
- Remind staff about hygiene precautions
- Consider alternatives to direct meetings (eg phone or video conferencing)
- Ensure staff are cross trained so they can take on alternative tasks if required
- Reallocate staff roles to cover your critical functions, as defined within your Business Continuity Plan
- Ensure that more than one person can operate / access critical systems
- Consider temporarily amending HR procedures to cover pandemic flu, for example staying at home to look after relatives, sick note procedures and what action to take if staff become unwell
- Ensure staff are aware of any special sickness procedures that will be put in place
- Consider procedures for home working
- Consider what critical stocks / equipment you require and take into account that your suppliers may also be working with reduced staff
There are some posters that can be printed out and displayed to remind staff of hygiene standards. Click on the thumbnail to download an A4 size pdf version
Text links
Flu Pandemic Game
This game has been designed by the NHS as a training resource to help managers of local businesses and voluntary organisations develop their business continuity plans if they are faced with a flu pandemic. We have included a link to the web page from which you can download a copy.
What can families do?
- Maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and warm water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face, or to other people
- Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- Clean hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal cleaning product.
Useful Links
Health Protection Agency
http://www.hpa.org.uk/
The Department of Health
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/PandemicFlu/index.htm
NHS Direct
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk