Winter preparedness plans

The request was successful.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request information about your winter preparedness plans for the forthcoming semester. It's been widely reported regarding people's concerns around hygiene & how this relates to "swine flu".

I would like to know:

1. What winter preparedness and Swine Flu contingency plans you have in place?

2. How any decision to close or quarantine the university will be made and the processes in place to support the person who makes that decision?

3. What information will be made available to new and returning students as they arrive this year? For example "How to recognise the difference between Fresher's Flu and Swine Flu?" Also the costs relating to the production of this information. Any examples of the information (posters, leaflets etc) would be useful to be included in your response.

4. How will you be working with your student union regarding the dissemination of this information? What plans does the Student Union have regarding the swine flu pandemic?

5. How many students you estimate will be affected by the swine flu pandemic?

6. All progress/status reports and emails sent relating to the preparations of these materials, information and plans.

My preferred format to receive this information is by electronic means. If one part of this request can be answered sooner than others, please send that information first followed by any subsequent data. If you need any clarification of this request please feel free to email me. If FOI requests of a similar nature have already been asked could you please include your responses to those requests.

I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request, and I look forward to hearing from you within the 20-working day statutory time period.

Yours faithfully,

Ben Whitehouse

Sara Anderson, Newman University, Birmingham

Dear Ben Whitehouse,

Thank you for your email of 4^th September 2009 requesting information
about the winter preparedness plans of Newman University College.

Your request is being dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and will be answered within twenty working days.

If you have any queries about this request do not hesitate to contact me.
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Yours sincerely,

Sara Anderson

Information Officer

Directorate

Newman University College

Birmingham B32 3NT

Tel : 0121 476 1181. Ext: 2356

Sara Anderson, Newman University, Birmingham

5 Attachments

Dear Ben Whitehouse,

Thank you for your email of 4^th September 2009, where you requested
information about the winter preparedness of Newman University College.

In response to your questions:

1). Please see attached our Pandemic Flu Report attached, outlining plans
for any pandemic flu, such as avian flu or swine flu. Students will also
be issued with a Health Advice leaflet (see attached).

2). The decision to close the University College will be made by the
Principal as per the plans attached. Quarantine is a matter for the Health
Protection Agency.

3). A Health Advice leaflet has been produced for new and returning
students. Leaflets will be distributed to new students at their Health and
Safety Inductions. The leaflet will also be issued to each student
residing in Halls accommodation and placed on Halls notice boards.
 Information regarding swine flu for new students is available as part of
our Freshers' website: [1]Health Advice | Freshers' 2009 | Newman
University College, Birmingham and for all students and staff on the wider
website: [2]Swine Influenza | Newman University College, Birmingham. This
will be updated when required as per the attached plan. The cost of
printing the in-house A4 colour leaflets for students is approximately
£450.

4). Newman Students' Union are represented on the Pandemic Flu Committee
and will be following the broader University College plan. The Students'
Union has also purchased hand wash for their offices.

5). We are not able to estimate the number of students who may be affected
by swine flu.

6). Please see attached emails relating to the production of the Health
Advice leaflet. If you require any further emails, these will need to be
located and a fees request will be issued. Please let me know if you wish
us to search for any further emails or correspondence so that I can
provide you with an estimated cost for this.

If you require any further information or clarification, please contact
me.

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:

Heather Somerfield

Newman University College

Genners Lane

Bartley Green

Birmingham

B32 3NT

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF.

Yours sincerely,

Sara Anderson
Information Officer
Directorate
Newman University College
Birmingham B32 3NT

Tel : 0121 476 1181. Ext: 2356

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References

Visible links
1. https://www.newman.ac.uk/freshers/?pg=1838
2. https://www.newman.ac.uk/Info/?pg=1766