Emergency Planning

The role of NHS Blackburn with Darwen in an emergency

What is an emergency?

1. An event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare.

2. An event or situation which threatens serious damage to the environment.

Preparing for an emergency

We all hope that a major incident will never happen, but NHS Blackburn with Darwen recognises that planning for emergencies is necessary so that we can continue to deliver our essential functions and respond to the needs of the community, businesses and the environment in emergency situations.

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) is part of government legislation that came into force in November 2005. It focuses on local arrangements for civil protection, establishing a statutory framework of defined roles and responsibilities for Category 1 responders such as Primary Care Trusts. Therefore, we have a duty to maintain an emergency plan and act in accordance with the NHS Guidance for Emergency Planning 2005.

Fundamental to the success of the plan will be the integration of our procedures with those of the emergency services, local acute trusts, neighbouring PCTs, local authorities and the many other statutory and voluntary agencies that will participate in any response.

Flu pandemic planning

A pandemic is when a disease is spread worldwide, where outbreaks are happening in many countries.

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus have produced a pandemic influenza plan. This plan will be regularly updated as further guidance is published by the Department of Health.