Planning for the Swine Flu pandemic was the key subject at the EPS annual conference in Coventry last June. Just after the WHO declared a global pandemic, speakers including; Bruce Mann (Cabinet Office), Pat O’Riordan (Specialist in Emergency Management, Health Service Executive, Republic of Ireland) and Jonathan Van-Tam (Professor Of Health Protection, University Of Nottingham and Honorary Consultant Regional Epidemiologist For HPA East Midlands) all spoke of the impending threat of mass absence at work due to sickness and caring responsibilities.
An outline of the ‘Flu friend’ and National flu helpline were revealed and flexible working was recommended as a key element to business continuity planning. At the time of the conference the Midlands was suffering severley from swine flu cases, with several schools being closed. 2,104 cases were confirmed in the West Midlands on June 29th, around 600 more than reported in London on the same day, making it the hot spot for swine flu in the UK.
Tags: Emergency Planning Society Pandemic Planning, EPS Conference Pandemic Planning
