NHS to run seven ‘tests’ to prepare for emergencies

NHS England has told organisations to run seven ‘tests’ to prepare for emergencies after admitting “further work” is needed to improve the resilience of the health service.

The national plan to prepare for emergencies, which covers until 2030, was revealed in a NHSE letter to trust and system leads this week.

NHSE lead on emergency preparedness, resilience and response Stephen Groves said in the letter: “We are committed to driving this programme forward but also recognise further work is needed to strengthen collective resilience.”

In his letter, Mr Groves said NHS organisations will be set the one of the following themes to exercise each year:

• Casualty and mass casualty
• Hazardous materials and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear
• Business continuity
• Cyber and digital
• Infections disease and pandemics
• Adverse weather
• Security, shelter and evacuation

Mr Groves said the new programme would start in October, and would create a “more holistic learning environment” through systematic testing.

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Source: HSJ, 14 August 2024