Health statisticians and scientists are wrangling over the true extent of swine flu - 500 or 2000 cases? Meanwhile, the Scottish health minister says a pandemic is moving closer. So what should you be doing to prepare?

Up to 75 per cent of the workforce could be absent at the peak of a severe pandemic. So whatever you do, do not wait and see what happens.

Ah, but you have a crisis plan? Sorry, it is unlikely to be sufficient. Flu pandemic contingency plans need to take account of changed ways of working that may last for months - not just a few days.

So now the good news: the best advice is really just common sense. But it is nonetheless vital. So involve the right people – HR, health and safety and senior management – and get planning.

Ten things to do now

1.       Create contingency plans, including an emergency communication plan with key contacts and chains of communication, and put someone in charge.

2.       Tell employees the plan exists and explain what they need to do.

3.       Review sickness policies to ensure they deal with all the issues, including the potential for employees to be absent for extended periods, and the appropriate compensation in such situations (see our Managing Sickness Absence Factsheet).

4.       Establish minimal staffing levels and identify a front-line group of essential employees.

5.       Identify and keep records of skills and capabilities so employees can be redeployed.

6.       Give appropriate training to workers who may be required to carry out unfamiliar tasks.

7.       Be prepared to hire and train temporary staff to supplement departments where staff numbers have fallen below the minimum required.

8.       Introduce home working and review your communications – consider extending flexible working now so the structures are already in place.

9.       Review staff rosters to allow for adequate leave periods to maintain a sustainable response over several weeks.

10.    Encourage basic hygiene - even using a handkerchief could help prevent the spread of a potentially fatal disease.

For information for third sector organisations see Pandemic influenza: supplementary information for third sector organisations from the Cabinet Office and Department of Health

See also:

Directgov – the primary government website for essential cross-government swine flu information.

NHS Choices – the primary public-facing health information and advice service.

Swine flu information line – 0800 1 513 513 (0800 0 514 142 in Northern Ireland).

Posted by steve walker
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