Mar 14
UK: Lancaster's key role in flu pandemic plan
portal.nnkl.comLancaster's key role in new flu pandemic plan
Monday, 07 July 2008 16:40
The Diocese of Lancaster has played a key role in preparing faith communities in the event of an influenza pandemic.
A new booklet – Faith Communities and Pandemic Flu: Guidance for faith communities and local influenza pandemic committees – has been published by the Department of Communities and Local Government.
It was produced by the Faith Communities’ Consultative Council and draws on work undertaken by Deacon Nick Donnelly from the Lancaster diocese and Jim McManus, director of health improvement at Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust.
The guide helps dioceses put plans in place to prepare the Church for the pastoral and healthcare challenges posed by a flu pandemic.
Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue, of Lancaster, said: “It is gratifying that the Government has recognised the work done by my diocese in this very important area of emergency planning.
“While praying that these plans are never used, it is prudent for all of us in positions of authority to take the threat of a flu pandemic seriously.”
The new booklet recommends two documents produced by the Diocese of Lancaster as part of the diocese’s emergency planning protocols – Pastoral Planning for a Flu Pandemic and A Checklist for Dioceses on Pandemic Flu Preparation.
Interest in the work has been shown by Catholic and non-Catholic dioceses around the world, particularly the United States.
Between 15-30 million people could become ill if there was a flu pandemic and of these, between 55,000-750, 000 could die in a worst case scenario.
Deacon Nick Donnelly said: “In March this year, Gordon Brown stated that the greatest security threat to the United Kingdom was not terrorism or climate change, but the ever present threat of a flu pandemic.
He added that it was good that the important role faith communities could play in saving the lives of others during a pandemic had been recognised.
To read the report in full visit www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/influenza pandemic
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