UK preparedness for pandemic influenza

doi:10.1136/bmj.39205.591389.80

BMJ 2007;334:965-966 (12 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39205.591389.80

Editorials

UK preparedness for pandemic influenza

Devolving responsibility for implementation to local authoritiesmay not be the best policy

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

In the worst case scenario, a pandemic of influenza in the UnitedKingdom would cause 750 000 excess deaths. In the short term,gross domestic product could fall by some 0.75%, and in thelonger term the cost to the nation could be around £170bn( ${euro}$ 250bn; $350bn).

On 16 March 2007, the Department of Health and the Cabinet Officejointly published a new draft plan for pandemic flu.¹ The planbuilds on and replaces the October 2005 plan.² It is supportedby a range of additional documents related to acute hospitals,health care in the community,³ an "operational and strategicframework" for adults in social care,³ guidelines for staffin social care settings,³ ambulance services,³ and an ethicalframework.³ Some documents offer strategic guidance, some offeroperational guidance, and others guidance for individuals. Commentsare requested on all draft documents by 16 May 2007.

The purpose of the framework . . . [Full text of this article]

Richard Coker, reader in public health

Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT

richard.coker@lshtm.ac.uk

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