Pandemic Influenza Guidance for Homecare Providers -April, 2009

Pandemic Influenza Guidance for Homecare Providers -April, 2009

by: The United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd Contributors Contingency planning is a necessity for all businesses, and domiciliary care agencies are no exception. In the last two years, UKHCA has been directly involved in the Department of Health’s planning for the future possibility of pandemic ‘flu (a worldwide outbreak of influenza that can be passed from one human to another).Nobody – not even governments – knows whether a pandemic will happen in the next 10 years, or which strain of virus will be responsible if a pandemic occurs. At the time of writing (April 2009) there is a concern that an outbreak of swine influenza in the UK will become a pandemic. Regardless of the timescale, the services of homecare providers will be essential for the wellbeing of service users and the ability of homecare workers to maintain their health and safety while working under exceptional circumstances.

This document has been produced as part of good practice contingency planning and we encourage providers to familiarise themselves with the information provided in this document. Good contingency planning is needed for all emergencies, not just the threat of a ‘flu pandemic, so many principles in this document may be useful to other situations.

Table of Contents1 Introduction 32 Important information 43 Contacting UKHCA 54 Information for members of the public 65 Pandemic ‘flu predictions 76 How will pandemic ‘flu be treated? 97 Infection control 108 Local preparation for a ‘flu pandemic in social care 149 Preparing your homecare business 16Appendix 16: References
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