The ‘Emergency Preparedness Division’ of the Department of Heath published ‘Interim strategic national guidance for NHS organisations’ in June 2008. 
To quote David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, in his opening comments; ‘patients – and the local communities that we serve – expect the NHS to be there for them when they need it, no matter what the circumstances’.
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and national risk and capability assessments now place clear obligations on NHS organisations to cope with disruptive challenges.  The Guidance notes the need for all organisations to implement a robust system to plan, test and train for a response against a range of disruptive challenges.
It is noted that Emergency Preparedness is identified as one of the five priority areas for NHS organisations in the NHS Operating Framework 2008-09.
The Guidance represents the first output from the work of the NHS Resilience Board and Stakeholder Group and a symposium held in central London in November 2007.    As such it is the first batch of guidance and advice for the NHS and will be subject to change and development going forward.
The key messages in relation to BCM were:

1. BCM is a key issue for all NHS organisations
2. BCM requires an integrated organisational response at local, regional and national level
3. BCM must be a part of every NHS organisation’s core business not an adjunct to business

 The NHS can demonstrate this by the following:

1. ensuring it is clear that BCM is a Board level responsibility
2. there is a clear framework to commission, audit and performance manage
3. clarity about who has responsibility within NHS organisations to ensure BCM is implemented
4. develop and deliver appropriate training

Other messages to emerge this far include

1. the need for BCM Champions to be created
2. NHS organisations to benefit from the collation and dissemination of learning and good practice from business continuity areas flooded in the summer of 2007
3. The need to develop an understanding of all supply chains (e.g. pharmaceutical, utilities, consumables, etc)

The Guidance explains Business Continuity Management (BCM) and outlines the roles and responsibilities for those dealing with BCM.  It also provides a breakdown of the key stages of BCM which include:

1. Programme Management;
2. Understanding your Business;
3. Determining BCM Strategies;
4. Developing and Implementing a BCM Response;
5. Exercising, Maintaining and Reviewing.

The full Guidance can be found at:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_085422

July 2008