EPRR Patient care and support services
Dear East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust,
I am conducting a study of the emergency preparedness of NHS Acute Trusts in England. I am using the emergency and disaster management module of the Hospital Safety Index checklist of the World Health Organisation. The study is part of an MSc in Crisis & Disaster Management at the University of Portsmouth.
Following a recent Information Commissioner’s decision, given here:
https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-tak...
I am writing regarding my final request for information about the Trust’s EPRR as part of my study. I would prefer to obtain this information under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in order to ensure that all the information is cleared by the Trust to be made publicly available. However, if you wish I am happy to discuss my request directly. My e-mail address is [email address] .
Please note that this is a different request from my previous requests: “EPRR Coordination of emergency and disaster management activities”, “EPRR Planning”, “EPRR Communication and information management”, “EPRR Human Resources” and “EPRR Logistics”. Please also note I am making this request more than 60 working days after my request “EPRR Logistics”.
My final request is given below:
I am writing to request the following information. This information relates to the NHS England Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Framework in general and section 10, “Cycle of preparedness”, in particular.
Please note that much of the information requested is only records of the existence of current procedures, training, resources and tests, and not the contents of the procedures, training, resources and tests themselves.
For clarity, to minimise the cost of my request and to prevent the disclosure of any sensitive information, I have enumerated the information I am requesting and specified how it could be provided.
If you do not hold some of this information then I ask you to confirm explicitly that you do not hold it.
Given the potentially sensitive nature of this information, I ask you to redact any exempt information instead of refusing disclosure. This would be in accordance with guidance on best practice from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Patient care and support services
Continuity of essential clinical support services
1. Any record of whether procedures exist to ensure operational continuity of essential clinical support or ancillary services (e.g. laboratory, radiology, pharmacy) during emergencies and disasters. (Can be answered yes / no.)
2. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
3. Any record of whether resources to implement the above procedures can be mobilized at all times. (Can be answered yes / no.)
Expansion of usable space for mass casualty incidents
4. Any record of whether procedures and resources exist to expand space and provide access to extra beds in mass casualty incidents. (Can be answered yes / no.)
5. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
6. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures. (Can be answered with a date or dates.)
Triage for major emergencies and disasters
7. Any record of whether space has been designated and procedures exist to carry out triage during emergencies and disasters. (Can be answered yes / no.)
8. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
9. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures. (Can be answered with a date or dates.)
Triage tags for mass casualty incidents
10. Any record the existence of triage tags for mass casualty incidents. (Can be answered yes / no.)
System for referral, transfer and reception of patients
11. Any record of whether procedures exist for the reception, referral and transfer of patients to and from other health facilities within and outside the geographical area where the hospital is located during emergencies and disasters. (Can be answered yes / no.)
12. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
13. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures. (Can be answered with a date or dates.)
Infection surveillance, prevention and control procedures
14. Any record of whether procedures exist for infection prevention and control during emergencies and disasters. (Can be answered yes / no.)
15. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
16. Any record of whether resources are available for implementation of the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
Psychosocial services
17. Any record of whether procedures exist for provision of psychosocial support, assessment and treatment services to patients, families and staff during emergencies and disasters. (Can be answered yes / no.)
18. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
19. Any record of whether resources are available for implementation of the above procedures. (Can be answered yes / no.)
Thank you for all your assistance with this study.
Yours faithfully
William Wetherell
Please be advised that we have received your request for information.
From 1st July 2018, Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals merged to become East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, responses are on behalf of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Your reference number is 8533
We shall deal with your request in accordance with the Trust's Freedom of Information Act 2000 procedures.
In the meantime, if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please direct any responses to the address supplied or email [East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust request email]
Should our response to your request breach the statutory timeframe and you remain unhappy with our response you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioners Office and you can contact them at
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk
There is no charge for making an appeal.
Kind regards,
Anna Howes
FOI Team
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
[email address]
This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any reading, printing, storage, disclosure, copying or any other action taken in respect of this e-mail is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by using the reply function and then permanently delete what you have received. Content of emails received by this Trust will be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the specified exemptions, including The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Caldicott Guardian principles. East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Turner Road, Essex, CO4 5JL
From 1^st July 2018, Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals merged to become
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust. Therefore, unless
otherwise specified, responses are on behalf of East Suffolk and North
Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
1. Any record of whether procedures exist to ensure operational continuity
of essential clinical support or ancillary services (e.g. laboratory,
radiology, pharmacy) during emergencies and disasters.
2. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures.
3. Any record of whether resources to implement the above procedures can
be mobilized at all times.
Expansion of usable space for mass casualty incidents
4. Any record of whether procedures and resources exist to expand space
and provide access to extra beds in mass casualty incidents.
5. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures.
6. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures.
Triage for major emergencies and disasters
7. Any record of whether space has been designated and procedures exist to
carry out triage during emergencies and disasters.
8. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures.
9. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures.
Triage tags for mass casualty incidents
10. Any record the existence of triage tags for mass casualty incidents.
System for referral, transfer and reception of patients
11. Any record of whether procedures exist for the reception, referral and
transfer of patients to and from other health facilities within and
outside the geographical area where the hospital is located during
emergencies and disasters.
12. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above
procedures.
13. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures.
Infection surveillance, prevention and control procedures
14. Any record of whether procedures exist for infection prevention and
control during emergencies and disasters.
15. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures.
16. Any record of whether resources are available for implementation of
the above procedures.
Psychosocial services
17. Any record of whether procedures exist for provision of psychosocial
support, assessment and treatment services to patients, families and staff
during emergencies and disasters.
18. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above
procedures.
19. Any record of whether resources are available for implementation of
the above procedures.
Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding information held by the East
Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust:
1. Any record of whether procedures exist to ensure operational continuity
of essential clinical support or ancillary services (e.g. laboratory,
radiology, pharmacy) during emergencies and disasters. Yes
2. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures.
Yes
3. Any record of whether resources to implement the above procedures can
be mobilized at all times. Yes
Expansion of usable space for mass casualty incidents
4. Any record of whether procedures and resources exist to expand space
and provide access to extra beds in mass casualty incidents. Yes
5. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above
procedures. Yes
6. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures. Jan
2023
Triage for major emergencies and disasters
7. Any record of whether space has been designated and procedures exist to
carry out triage during emergencies and disasters. Yes although through
utilisation of existing space and prioritisation
8. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above
procedures. Yes
9. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures. March
2023
Triage tags for mass casualty incidents
10. Any record the existence of triage tags for mass casualty incidents.
Yes triage packs including tags
System for referral, transfer and reception of patients
11. Any record of whether procedures exist for the reception, referral and
transfer of patients to and from other health facilities within and
outside the geographical area where the hospital is located during
emergencies and disasters.Yes as per standard transfer procedures and
utilising systems in place
12. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above
procedures. Yes
13. The date(s) of the most recent test(s) of the above procedures. N/A as
utilising BAU systems
Infection surveillance, prevention and control procedures
14. Any record of whether procedures exist for infection prevention and
control during emergencies and disasters. Yes
15. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above procedures.
Yes
16. Any record of whether resources are available for implementation of
the above procedures. Yes
Psychosocial services
17. Any record of whether procedures exist for provision of psychosocial
support, assessment and treatment services to patients, families and staff
during emergencies and disasters. Yes
18. Any record of whether staff have been trained in the above
procedures. Yes
19. Any record of whether resources are available for implementation of
the above procedures. Yes
If you have any queries about the enclosed information please contact us
The Public Sector Information Regulations provide a framework for public
sector organisations to licence the re-use of their information. Please
request a re-use licence in order to re-use the information. Without the
necessary permission, you can breach our copyright.
Brief extracts of any material may be reproduced without our permission,
under the “fair dealing” provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988 for the purposes of research for non-commercial purposes; private
study; criticism; review and news reporting. All are subject to an
acknowledgement of ourselves as the copyright owner. For guidance notes
on a range of copyright issues, see the Office of Public Sector
Information web site.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request you should write to us. Please also contact us if you require a
copy of our Freedom of Information Act 2000 Complaints Procedure. Any
complaints you wish to make in relation to Environmental Information
Regulations (EIR) requests, must be sent to us within 40 working days of
receipt of this letter.
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint,
you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45
Website: [1]www.ico.org.uk
There is no charge for making an appeal.
We hope that we have been able to answer your query to your satisfaction
and that you find the information provided useful.
Kind Regards
Anna Howes
FOI Team
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
[2][email address]
This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential. If you are
not the intended recipient, any reading, printing, storage, disclosure,
copying or any other action taken in respect of this e-mail is prohibited
and may be unlawful. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify
the sender immediately by using the reply function and then permanently
delete what you have received. Content of emails received by this Trust
will be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000,
subject to the specified exemptions, including The General Data Protection
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Caldicott Guardian principles. East Suffolk
and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Turner Road, Essex, CO4 5JL
References
Visible links
1. http://www.ico.org.uk/
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear Ms Howes
Reference number: 8533
Thank you for this.
Yours sincerely
William Wetherell
We work to defend the right to FOI for everyone
Help us protect your right to hold public authorities to account. Donate and support our work.
Donate Now