Business Continuity Plan

Background

The NHS needs to be able to plan for and respond to a wide range of incidents and emergencies that could affect health or patient care. This is underpinned by the Civil Contingencies Act (2004). Under the Act Category 1 responders are those organisations at the core of emergency response (e.g. emergency services, Acute Trusts). Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (ASPH) is a Category 1 responder, and as such is subject to the full set of civil protection duties.

Category 1 responders are required to:

• 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; and
• Provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity management.

In May 2012, ISO published ISO 22301: Societal security - Business Continuity Management System - Requirements. ISO 22301 is the new international Standard for business continuity management; replacing BS 25999 certification. ISO 22301 helps organisations identify potential threats to their business and build the capacity/contingency arrangements to deal with unforeseen events.

Policy Details

See also:

• Local Business Continuity plans on TrustNet
• Major and Internal Incident Plan
• Operational Pressure Escalation Plan