PANDEMIC FLU (INFLUENZA A/H1N1): BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANS (AS OF 14.09.09)

BUSINESS CONTINUTITY MANAGEMENT PLAN ADDRESSING SPECIFICALLY PANDEMIC FLU

The swine flu virus is a global pandemic. The government is currently providing widespread treatment services rather than trying to contain the disease at this stage. Because it is well documented that children are highly efficient ‘spreaders’ of respiratory infections, both among themselves and to adults in their families, Excel Sports Academy is happy to work with, and endorse all advice given from national and local partnerships and organisations involved in the responsibility and contingency planning during this pandemic. Excel is also committed to review its procedures regularly in keeping with recommendations from all relevant authorities including the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland. Excel recognizes that as a business Excel cannot eliminate but play a critical role in slowing down the spread and impact of swine flu and provide some useful guidance. Everyone working for or using Excel’s service can play their part in helping to reduce the spread of pandemic flu.

While Excel cannot prevent the swine flu virus, Excel does have an obligation to ensure that all reasonable steps can be taken to minimise needless exposure at its children’s holiday sports camps. A simple and easy approach to reduce the likelihood of exposing staff, children, their parents, guardians and staff and children at St. George’s School for Girls where Excel’s sports camps operate is to improve hygiene practices in terms of personal and workplace hygiene. Regular hand washing and using disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing is seen to be an effective method to combat this infection.

1. Important information for everyone working for or using Excel’s services.

• Identifying symptoms of pandemic flu: Recognized symptoms are sudden fever and sudden cough. Other symptoms may include headache, tiredness, chills, aching muscles, limb or joint pain, diarrhea or stomach upset, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and loss of appetite.

• How pandemic flu is caught and spread to others: Coughing and/or sneezing by an infected person within a short distance (usually one metre or less) of someone, touching or shaking the hand of an infected person and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands, touching surfaces or objects (eg door handles, sports equipment etc) that have become contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.

• The incubation period (time between contact with the virus and the onset of symptoms): Usually one to four days, however, most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication.

• The infectious period (how long you are infectious to others): People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms though they can continue to spread the virus, for example in coughs and sneezes, typically for up to five days (seven days in children). People become less infectious as their symptoms subside and once symptoms are gone, they are considered no longer infectious to others.

• What you can do to protect yourself and others: There is no need for you to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well. Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue promptly and then wash your hands. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, and using tissues. An alcohol hand rub could be used as an alternative for cleaning hands. Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and/or nose, unless you have recently cleaned your hands. Use normal household detergent and water to clean surfaces frequently touched by hands. Before you leave work you should wash your hands, and then wash them again soon after you arrive home. Tissues should be disposed of in domestic waste and do not require any special treatment. Used tissues should be put in a waste bin immediately after use or as soon as is feasible. You should wash your hands after the tissues have been disposed of.

• Advice for parents, guardians and their children attending Excel: Excel will inform parents and guardians should there be a case of suspected swine flu reported. If a child is suspected of having flu-like symptoms at camp the parent or guardian of that child will be contacted with a request to collect the child and take them home. Contact with NHS 24 or a local GP will be recommended, especially if the child has on-going medical needs. It is important that all contact details are kept up-to-date, especially emergency contact details. If your child is unwell or displaying symptoms of flu at home or you are concerned about your child’s health in any way, keep your child at home and contact Excel to report their absence and why on 0131 554 4249. Only when the symptoms have passed and the child feels well enough to attend, can they return to camp.

• If you think you have flu like symptoms or a concern that you have Influenza H1N1/09 also referred to as swine flu: It is important if you or someone you know has had contact with a confirmed or suspected Influenza H1N1/09 case to monitor your health closely for seven days after your visit or contact. Symptoms may be checked online at www.nhs24.com/swineflu. Absences from camp should be reported to the manager, remaining at home and seeking advice from NHS 24 (08454242424) or your local GP is advised. Currently the NHS advises taking paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce fever and other symptoms, drinking plenty of fluids and getting lots of rest. The best control measures are to continue to take simple infection control precautions such as washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and using a tissue only once.

• Important issues: Certain groups of people may be at higher risk of infection and serious illness; high-risk groups include people with long-term conditions, those over 65, children under five and pregnant women. Follow your Excel’s hygiene protocol at all times and all suggestions made by relevant health agencies. Above all else staff, children and their parents or guardians must observe strict hand and respiratory hygiene

2. Business Plan considerations:

• Excel will keep in regular contact with St. George’s School (sports camp site) for updates on their current policy on infection and impact on any additional deep-cleaning arrangements.

• Excel will address the issue of swine flu and its impact specifically in regular staff meetings and additional training provided regarding awareness of procedures and responsibilities necessary to minimise any impact on the business.

• Excel will monitor the impact of staff absence on the service Excel provides, in particular the staff-child ratios and the management team who are key decision makers, hold access to vital information, keys, those responsible for IT, telephone reception, administration and business banking.

• Excel will provide more frequent checks on available resources in the toilets of hand soap, paper towels and disposable tissues.

• Excel will broaden the Manager’s Morning Welcome speech at camp each day to include a reference to protective measures for children to engage in to further support measures to reduce infection. Excel cannot enforce the advice on personal hygiene, however, children will be reminded daily to observe these procedures and attention will be drawn to the message on posters located in the toilets, eating areas and other locations around the venue.

• Excel will display on its notice boards and website its business continuity management plan addressing specifically pandemic flu making this information as widely available to all who engage in its service.

• Excel will frequently revise and implement changes to work priorities and reassign effort and resources in order to maintain critical activities to protect its first class service.

USEFUL CONTACTS AT EXCEL:

Monka Foo General Manager

Colin Macpherson Lead Practitioner

Ben Brown Company Director

Contact details: 0131 554 4249

FURTHER SCORCES OF INFORMATION:

NHS 24 : 08454 242 424

Swine Flu Information Line: 0800 1 513 513

Health Protection Scotland 0141 300 1100