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Pandemic flu
A pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus, which people have no immunity to, emerges and starts spreading as easily as normal influenza. The Department of Health is working to support NHS preparedness and to reduce the impact of pandemic flu on the UK population.
This is generic guidance intended to assist in preparing for a pandemic whose nature and severity is unknown. Although much of the content remains relevant in the current swine flu pandemic, some aspects, particularly those relating to at risk groups and those intended to respond to higher levels of sickness and mortality may not be applicable to the current swine flu situation. Therefore, the guidance should be read in conjunction with the latest swine flu UK planning assumptions and other specific swine flu guidance
Pandemic alert phases
Six distinct phases have been defined by the World Health Organization to help global preparedness planning. Information on the current pandemic alert status can be found on the WHO website.
Published guidance
The National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic and supporting guidance
This document describes the Government's strategic approach for responding to an influenza pandemic, published jointly by the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office. It provides background information and guidance to public and private organisations developing response plans. Supporting guidance includes an ethical framework and operating guidance for adult social care, ambulance services, mental health, community and acute healthcare, human resources, death certification and cremation certification, dental practices and primary care dentistry.
Infection control guidance
Infection control guidance in the event of a flu pandemic for health and social care professionals and some non-NHS sectors.
22 January 2010: Pandemic Flu Training Module for Mental Health Trusts, Tertiary and Associated Specialist Trusts
This guidance is based on the recently updated guidance for Mental Health services on planning and responding to an outbreak of pandemic flu.
16 December 2009: Developing psychosocial resilience: how to cope in a crisis
This guidance provides a stepped model of care for staff that is sensitive and responsive to their needs before, during and after emergencies. It will ensure that staff are prepared to cope with long-sustained demand.
5 August 2009
4 August 2009: Pandemic influenza awareness programme
Updated files and operating instructions: the programme was written by Tower Hamlets PCT and aimed to give NHS staff, both clinical and non clinical an overall general awareness of pandemic influenza from the history of the virus, through to infection control, signs and symptoms, and caring for a patient.
26 June 2009: H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme
Letter to SHA and PCT immunisation leads to help with planning a vaccination programme.
23 June 2009: The Flu Pandemic Game: a business continuity training resource
The Flu Pandemic Game was originally developed by Camden Primary Care Trust using NHS resources in partnership with Camden Council. It was designed as a training resource for their staff and to help managers of local businesses and voluntary organisations develop their business continuity plans.
16 June 2009: Swine flu clinical package
The swine flu clinical package is a set of tools for use in a pandemic situation by frontline healthcare professionals. They have been designed to support and empower GPs, community nurses, midwives, health visitors, ambulance crews, emergency department doctors, nurses and those working outside their usual specialty area (e.g. junior doctors or surgeons working in influenza cohort wards).
11 June 2009: Pandemic influenza: guidance for commissioners and providers of social care
Modules 4, 5, 7 and 8 are now available. These cover: infection control; managing assessment, death and fair access to care; data, Information and knowledge; and business and operational recovery.
8 June 2009
This document is a supplement to the Department of Health guidance: Pandemic influenza: guidance on preparing maternity services. It reinforces and clarifies the advice in the main guidance, and provides advice for the use of antiviral medicines in women who are breastfeeding. It also gives details of the safety and efficacy of these medicines.
12 May 2009
This document gives background information and highlights key areas for consideration to support third sector organisations to plan, prepare and respond to pandemic influenza. By planning well, third sector organisations could play a key role in contributing to the success of the general response to, and recovery from, a pandemic.
11 May 2009: Swine flu - a letter to pharmacy bodies
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, Dr Keith Ridge has written to the key pharmacy trade bodies updating them on the latest arrangements for supply of medicines.
7 May 2009: Important information on Swine Flu
This note outlines some important information for providers and commissioners of social care services.
1 May 2009: Pandemic flu: managing demand and capacity in health care organisations (surge)
The aim of this guidance is to support NHS and Social Care organisations to build on their existing preparedness plans and enable clinicians to work within an ethical framework during a pandemic, when there may be a significant increase in demand for care.
Pandemic flu news archive
Previously published news about pandemic flu.
About pandemic flu
An overview of pandemic flu, including information about who would be at risk, when it could arrive and its symptoms.
Committee on Ethical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza (CEAPI)
The Committee on Ethical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza (CEAPI) has been set up to advise on the ethical issues in health and social care and in public health arising from an influenza pandemic.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Frequently asked questions regarding pandemic flu.
Additional links
National Director
Professor Lindsey Davies has been National Director of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness since April 2006 and is also a senior director within the Department of Health.
Scientific Pandemic Influenza Advisory Committee (SPI)
The main role of the SPI is to advise the UK Government on scientific matters relating to the health response to an influenza pandemic.
Directgov
Information on pandemic flu for members of the public is available on
UK Resilience
This Cabinet Office website provides guidance and advice supporting emergency preparedness across the UK. It includes plans to develop a 3-5 year international strategy for pandemic flu.
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