Introduction
1. The NHS is in the process of preparing for a possible outbreak of pandemic flu. The Scottish Framework for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic (October 2007) sets out the Scottish Government's strategic approach to dealing with an influenza pandemic. The document provides information on the potential impact of a pandemic, sets out key planning assumptions and proposes a planning framework. It also updates the UK health departments' UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan (October 2005) and expands upon that document to incorporate guidance for other non-health sectors, thereby creating the first cross-government guide for responding to an influenza pandemic.
2. Local planning for pandemic flu is well underway across the health and community care sector and individual NHSScotland organisations should refer to local pandemic influenza groups for details of plans. This Human Resources Guidance supplements local plans.
3. This guidance covers in more detail the workforce and human resource issues that may arise in a pandemic. It is designed to give an overall framework for NHS services to build on/work within and should be read alongside the overall planning documents. It covers NHS services and their links to community care. Key to the success of pandemic flu planning will be comprehensive communications between the various agencies.
4. This guidance has been developed in conjunction with planning throughout the UK.