East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust needs to plan for, and respond to, a wide range of incidents and emergencies that could affect health, patient care or the operation of the Trust.
Major incidents can range from extreme weather conditions to an infectious disease outbreak or a major transport emergency. The Civil Contingencies Act (2004) requires all ‘responding organisations’ to show they can deal with such incidents while maintaining critical services, whilst the NHS England EPRR Framework has similar requirements of NHS organisations.
This programme of work is referred to in the health community as emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR).
We work in close cooperation with a number of other partners such as the local health community, Local Authorities, and emergency services, in planning for and responding to all types of emergencies and major incidents.