To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx

 

Our ref: DE00000433502

 

 

 

Dear Mr Eriksohn,

 

Thank you for your email of 24 July to the Department of Health requesting, under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, details about antiviral collection points.  Your request has been passed to me for reply.

 

I will address each of your questions in turn.

 

1. What criteria were used to determine the location of Antiviral Collection Points for the National Pandemic Flu Service?

 

Pandemic influenza ‘How to’ guide for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) on local arrangements for antiviral collection points states the following:

 

Depending on requirements, there are a number of options to be considered when identifying locations for collection points.  It is recommended that PCTs should, where possible, consider sites that have been identified previously for dealing with other emergencies. When determining locations, PCTs will also wish to consider the following:

 

• the ‘normal’ use and role of the site and whether this would be compromised: for example, if a collection point was sited in a community pharmacy or a supermarket, would normal business procedures be able to continue?

• the availability (staffing, security and accessibility) of the service out of hours

• the location’s current business continuity, resilience and emergency procedures.

 

The following collection point checklist was provided in this guidance:

 

• Technical: Personal Computers, Internet connection, telephones, fax, printer, access to local IT support;
• Physical: Lockable building, lockable storage area, space to accommodate demand for around 1,600 transactions per 100,000 population, per day pro rata, ability to store cases of antiviral, space for queues in times of high demand, ability to receive a delivery from a 17.5 tonne lorry;
• Location: Not on red route, accessibility by public transport where possible
• Resourcing: Availability of appropriately trained staff; and
• Communications: Appropriate signage to ensure ease of access to collection points.

 

    2. What consideration was given to how accessible they would be taking into account the following:- A) Opening hours? B) Transport links? C) Proximity to people’s homes? D) Ability to cater for those with mobility problems?

 

It is for PCTs to determine the opening hours of individual collection points, but the guidance indicated that they should look to have at least one collection point, open around the clock, per PCT.

 

The guidance states that easy accessibility by public transport was a requirement where possible.

 

The guidance states that the number of collection points per PCT will vary depending on population density, demographics and the infrastructure available.  Proximity to people's homes would come in to this consideration.

 

The guidance states that Antiviral Collection Points (ACPs) should be accessible to people with a disability.

 

     3. The ability of smaller collection points to cope with demand in the event of the 'worst case scenario?'

 

The Department of Health released illustrative modelling tools and guidance to assist PCTs in planning the number of collection points and their locations.  This included the consideration of PCTs having a small number of large collection points and/or a large number of smaller collection points and the implications of both scenarios.

 

     4. How long has the DoH been planning the National Pandemic Flu Service for and the cost of A, planning the service and B, setting up the collection points?

 

Section 21 of the FOI Act allows public bodies to withhold that information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.  Initial plans for the National Pandemic Flu Service and collection points were first published in November 2007 in the document Pandemic Flu - A national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic.  This document is available online at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_080734.

 

If you have any queries about this response, please contact me.  Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

 

I hope this reply is helpful.  If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to:

 

Head of the Freedom of Information Team

Department of Health

Room 317

Richmond House

79 Whitehall

London

SW1A 2NS

  

Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxx.xxx.xx

 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Department.  The ICO can be contacted at:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Aimee Gasston

FOI Officer

Department of Health