13 th May 2009 Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Plans Tony Andrews Emergency Planning and Incident Response Manager

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation Bird Flu / Swine Flu Planning so far has been based on the possibility of bird flu. Swine flu seems to be milder but we are waiting for a definite analysis. Flu viruses change over time and can mix with other flu viruses to make a more virulent strain.

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation 6 Phases. We are in Phase 5; (virus increasingly adapted to humans) Emphasis is on containment; local school closures Phase 6 is the Pandemic Pandemic can come in multiple waves. There are predictions of a second, more severe wave of Swine Flu in the Autumn / Winter WHO Pandemic Phases

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation AreaSun 10 th Mon 11 th Tues 12 th Westminster222 London UK Worldwide4,3954,4445,264 Current Spread

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation Imminence Some predict a serious wave in the Autumn Manageable till then But, some say an exponential increase in infections could happen within a few weeks as containment becomes unfeasible

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation Attack rate: Total % of the population infected Bird Flu: up to 50% Complications: % of infected people with complications Bird Flu: up to 25% Acute Care: % of infected people needing hospital care (not always getting it) Bird Flu: 4% Mortality Rate: % of infected people who die Bird Flu: 2.5% Pandemic Characteristics

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation High staff absence due to flu and related factors Health services in hospital and community overstretched Mortuary, funeral, cremation and burial services overstretched. School closures to restrict infection All services, businesses and utilities affected Fuel supplies affected Impact

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation Staff Absence Affect on contractors and suppliers Infection Control Enhanced cleaning (resilience of contract) Vulnerability to other emergencies Closure Remote Learning and other support Promotion of Self Help Responding to the death of pupils, staff, parents Impact for Schools

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation The Role of Governors Now Read Guidance on Flu Planning, general Emergency Planning, Infection Control Clarify responsibility and process for school closure Review HR policies re staff absence, particularly due to care of dependents, bereavement Ensure contact details are updated Review plans to support the school following a death

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation The Role Of Governors Now ctd Clarify channels of communication with the LA, Employer, Staff, Parents, Media Provide helpful information to staff Check the business continuity plans of contractors and suppliers Plan for decision making to be delegated in the absence of the usual decision makers and deputies Plan for cover of absent staff.

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation Remote Learning Plan to provide for remote learning if the school is to be closed for two weeks or more Check the resilience of the Managed Learning Environment, if there is one. Check students’ access to internet Postal arrangements with those with no internet access. Plan for power cuts

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation Exams See the recent DCSF Q and A on Examinations during school closure

Westminster City Council Business Continuity and Pandemic Flu Preparation Combine Business Continuity with Pandemic Flu Plans See guidance and planning tools on: Share any useful procedures with other schools Advice available from Tony Andrews: Planning