Emergency planning

Within the NHS Operating Framework, emergency preparedness is one of the top five priorities for the NHS.

NHS Bedfordshire is responsible for ensuring that it has adequate emergency and business continuity plans, procedures and arrangements in place to prepare for and respond to a major incident and/or business disruption. This includes a documented resilience plan incorporating emergency planning, resilience and business continuity arrangements. The aim of these arrangements is to ensure that the communities and people affected by any such event are able to receive, and to continue to receive, the services and care they require, and that we as a Trust are able to deliver our critical services as required.

Recent events such as pandemic flu, severe weather and power outages, show that the NHS needs to act quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. Our success in dealing with such events is dependent upon staff commitment, capability and detailed comprehensive planning.

Business Continuity

Business continuity aims to ensure that whatever happens we are able to deliver our essential services to those who need them most, in the most suitable and appropriate way.

Business continuity within NHS Bedfordshire looks at critical services and priorities primarily based on patient care/needs with awareness of key targets and vital signs. Business continuity arrangements are developed in conjunction with key providers, i.e. community health, acute trust and mental health trusts to ensure compatibility and understanding. Business continuity arrangements are reviewed and tested in line with NHS Bedfordshire’s Emergency Planning and Resilience Policy and action plan.

Legislation and Compliance

A number of pieces of legislation place statutory duties on NHS organisations to cope with disruptive challenges and to maintain systems to plan, test and train for emergency response.

In addition to statutory and legal requirements, Bedfordshire PCT is the lead PCT for emergency planning in Bedfordshire and Luton. As the lead NHS organisation we have a duty to ensure the co-ordination of the NHS response in an emergency situation, working in collaboration with the other NHS trusts in Bedfordshire and Luton.

We continue to ensure and review compliance with the requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, and the NHS Emergency Planning Guidance 2005. We are also aligning our approach to Business Continuity to BS: 25999 (British Standard for Business Continuity). Compliance to legislation is monitored through the Care Quality Commission-Standards for Better Health-Core Standard 24, Information Governance and reporting to the Board and through self assessment audit. The organisation’s preparedness for emergencies is governed through quarterly meetings of the Emergency Planning and Resilience Committee which produces an annual report to the Board as well as ad hoc items when required. NHS Bedfordshire also chairs the Local Resilience Forum Health and Welfare Sub Group, which reports to the multi-agency Support and Executive groups, ensuring multi-agency participation and coordination on health issues.