Business continuity guidelines for coping with a global 'flu pandemic to be developed

A project designed to address the specific issue of business continuity during a global flu pandemic is being organised by Survive, the UK-based business continuity organisation, with support from Tamiflu manufacturer Roche Products Limited.

Extensive research will be carried out, with members of Survive contributing experience across a wide range of industry sectors. The results of this research will be published as guidelines to assist businesses in making preparations to deal with a global 'flu pandemic.

Lorraine Lane, CEO of Survive, says that whilst awareness of the problem is very high, relatively few organisations appear to have contingency plans in place to address the impact of a 'flu pandemic.

"Even in a best-case scenario, the impact on business could be massive. The aim of this project is to assist in the overall effort to make preparations to minimise the impact of a pandemic on UK businesses," says Ms Lane.

Selected organisations and individuals will be invited to take part in the formulation of the guidelines which will be published and made available to the public following a working meeting in December, involving Survive, Roche and other invitees.

"Whilst significant effort appears to have been brought to bear by the Government and its agencies in preparing for the impacts of a flu pandemic, these efforts are primarily directed towards protecting critical national infrastructure.

"The real needs of businesses in the event of a pandemic are yet to be adequately addressed. The production of the ‘Guidelines for businesses on dealing with a 'flu pandemic’ aims to rectify this omission," says Ms Lane.

•Date: 18th Nov 2005 • Region: UK • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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