Preparing for Emergencies Guidance

Foreword

It is essential that all public sector organisations plan and prepare for a wide range of potential emergencies. This remains of paramount importance for Health Boards in Scotland, as it was in 2013, when this guidance was originally published. Healthcare services have faced a range of emergency incidents in recent years including a global pandemic and we are continually faced with a range of other types and levels of disruptive events which we must plan and prepare for.

Part of that planning and preparedness includes reviewing this strategic guidance to support individual health boards in their planning for such events.

Health Board services and staff could be affected by a wide range of types of emergencies such as extreme weather conditions or a major disease outbreak, to a major transport incident with multiple casualties and we need to be sufficiently prepared to confidently deal with the potential impact and consequence on our ability to maintain patient care.

Through a more strategic rather than operational lens, this guidance prompts Health Boards to consider the implications of, and plan for, the various scenarios, threats and hazards it may be faced with. It also recognises the complexity of Health Boards across Scotland and the differing scale of resources at their disposal and promotes partnership-working at all levels. Collaboration is vital, and with this in mind a Short Life Working Group (SLWG) was commissioned to review and update this guidance to ensure it is succinct, comprehensive, and based on the latest information and best practice available.

It provides strategic direction to inform local preparations for emergencies and other significant disruptive events and should be shared openly with all staff to further develop and promote a culture of resilience and preparedness within the organisation.

Finally, I would like to thank members of the SLWG and others who contributed to this review for their contribution and support and urge you all to consider how best this can be used to help preserve, maintain, and improve the essential public services the NHS provides to the people of Scotland.

John Burns - Chief Operating Officer NHS Scotland