We recognise the need to have a separate pandemic recovery plan and procedure. This is because a general continuity recovery plan focuses on a short-term recovery programme. In contrast, the effects of the pandemic could last many months.

 

We have implemented the following measures: 

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• A communications strategy will be developed to ensure that staff, service users and their families are provided with up-to-date and accurate information on the status of the pandemic and on our response

• Every effort will be made to provide the information to service users in a format that they can understand. We recognise that the current crisis will be upsetting and worrying for service users and relatives.

• Information will be provided to staff via e-mail and mobile phone including Skype where practical and unnecessary face-to-face meetings will be cancelled — where meetings are held social distancing will be observed.

• Training will utilise online e-learning and other electronic forms where possible — any face-to-face training will be conducting conforming to social distancing rules.

• Our leave and absence policies will be continuously reviewed as the status of the pandemic changes, for instance, it may become necessary to cancel leave in case of serious short-staffing.

• Staff will be informed of any additional measures to limit the spread of disease in a pandemic situation — this might include:

–          avoiding unnecessary travel

–          cancellation of face-to-face meetings

–          plans to reduce the impact of absentees

–          working from home where possible for managers and office staff

–          systems to lessen the impact of supply chain disruption.

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• Essential services will be prioritised.

• Advice will be provided for vulnerable service users on steps to take to protect themselves.

• Care plans will be reviewed to identify service users most at risk in case of service disruption.

• As a contingency measure, staff will be cross-trained in various functions to ensure that adequate cover is provided in different roles should sickness rates rise.

• Staff who perform roles that can be done from home will be encouraged to.

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The management of Merit Healthcare will link with any local forums and hubs relevant to health and social care provision and keep up to date with local developments.

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Line managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that our staff understand our pandemic recovery plan policy and procedure. 

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The procedure aims to ensure that we will be able to continue to provide care to our service users during any disruption caused by the current pandemic.

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