Pandemic Influenza Guidance for Homecare Providers
This page is provided for
UKHCA members to obtain the Association's latest version of our information
pack, "Pandemic Influenza Guidance for Homecare Providers". This page
will be updated continuously with new versions of the guidance as new information
on the current pandemic is made available. Please keep checking this page for the
latest information.
The guidance has been produced as part of good practice contingency planning and
we encourage providers to familiarise themselves with the information provided in
this document. This document is provided as a service to UKHCA members and updates of the information will
be available from this page.
Pandemic 'flu contingency plan template for domiciliary care
The UKHCA
member helpline has taken a number of calls from members about business contingency
planning templates for swine 'flu. This template for UKHCA members provides some ideas as to what homecare
organisations could be thinking about and can use as preparation for a flu pandemic.
It is not a wholly comprehensive list, nor will all the suggestions be applicable
in different organisations, however it provides a basis for organisations to feed
into their own contingency planning arrangements.
Download the Pandemic 'flu contingency plan template
for domiciliary care
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. 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.
Organisations may also be interested in UKHCA's Infection Control
Pack which consists of a training guide, written exercises, overhead
projector slides, glossary, answers to frequently asked questions on the UKHCA
Helpline, and CD covering all parts of the package. The pack is £28.75 per
copy for UKHCA
members and £53.75 for non-members.
Annual seasonal flu immunisation programme 2011/12
GPs and health authorities have been asked to encourage “at risk” patients
and healthcare workers to be vaccinated against seasonal flu (which this year includes
H1N1 vaccination).
The “at risk” groups include pregnant women, the elderly
and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, lung,
liver or renal diseases and those who have weakened immune systems. Health and social
care workers directly involved in the care of service users are amongst those recommended
for vaccination, subject to normal risk assessment processes.
The following is a selection of links and advice from UK health authorities on the
annual seasonal flu immunisation programme 2011/12:
UK-wide
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Further information given to us by the relevant authorities will be included in
email alerts to members.
We hope you find this information useful.
UKHCA Policy and Communications Team