Emergency Planning
Bexley Care Trust has a legal duty to plan for emergencies and to ensure that we can continue to provide essential health services during an emergency or major incident.
Following the fuel crisis and the severe flooding in 2000 and the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a
review of emergency planning arrangements. The review included a public consultation
exercise which reinforced the Government’s conclusion that existing legislation no longer provided an adequate framework for modern civil protection efforts and that new legislation was needed. This led to the Civil Contingencies Act being passed.
Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, we are classed as a 'Category 1 responder'.
- assess the risk of emergencies occurring and use this to inform contingency planning
- put in place emergency plans
- put in place Business Continuity Management arrangements
- put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency
- share information with other local responders to enhance co-ordination
- co-operate with other local responders to enhance co-ordination and efficiency.
A helpful short guide about the Act is available to download on the Cabinet Office website, via the link on the right hand side.
Preparing to respond in a state of emergency is one of the five overall priorities for the NHS in England under its Operating Plan 2008. Find out more on the Department of Health's website, via the right hand link.
At Bexley CareTrust, our plans are reviewed regularly so that any internal, external or potential risks are taken into account, and any organisational or technological changes are incorporated. Plans are shared with other Category 1 responders including London Borough of Bexley.
More information about London Borough of Bexley’s emergency planning arrangements can be found on its website on the right hand link.
We also work closely with the South East London Health Protection Agency to protect the public. For more information about their work, view the agency's website via the right hand side link.
We take part in emergency planning exercises with other organisations in Bexley and South East London, and lessons learnt are incorporated into our planning and training.
We also regularly attend emergency planning forums to build stronger relationships with emergency services and other Category 1 responders.
If you would like to know more about our emergency planning arrangements please contact our Public Health team on Tel: 0208 298 6000.
