SPF statement of support for the NHS in preparing for the swine flu pandemic.
SPF acknowledges the successful contribution that NHS organisations and staff have made already to the effective UK response to swine flu. However, we are mindful of the need to avoid complacency and to maintain the high status of this collaborative work as we continue to help the NHS to prepare for a potential resurgence of swine flu cases in the autumn.
We have been engaged in discussions on the following issues:
- preparations for the roll-out of the swine flu vaccination strategy later this year
- re-registration to allow former staff to return to work
- greater flexibility in the application of the Working Time Regulations on working hours
- measures to relieve the burden of certification of illness by GPs
Partners agree that continued dialogue and collaboration is the key to successful delivery of the strategy to prepare the NHS for the swine flu pandemic in the long term, and have identified a number of areas for future work.
As information and guidance becomes available, the SPF will ensure early messages are included on this website.
SPF Supports the Vaccination Policy
The Social Partnership Forum has issued a statement in support of the vaccination policy announced by the Department of Health on 13 August 2009. Following a special meeting of the Social Partnership Forum (SPF) on 6 August 2009 involving the Department of Health, NHS Trade Unions and NHS Employers, to discuss the implications of the swine flu pandemic on the NHS and its workforce, the partners have welcomed the recommendation of the Joint Committee on Vaccination & Immunisation to prioritise front line NHS staff for immunisation.
The SPF will continue to meet and collaborate on a range of issues to ensure that NHS staff are in the best position to meet the challenges presented by the flu pandemic.
Details of the announcement made by the Chief Medical Officer can be downloaded here.
Preparing for vaccination
The Social Partnership Forum has identified the top six things that NHS organisations can do now in preparation for the impending vaccine administration.
Vaccination against swine flu will help protect staff, their families and their patients from the swine flu virus and is an important element of the NHS resilience strategy.
Weekly update from the Department of Health
The Department of Health issues a weekly Swine Flu Update which is available to view here.