Community Base recognises the possibility of an avian flu pandemic or other type of pandemic in the UK, with the transmission of debilitating and potentially fatal flu between people by air and contact.
Such a pandemic is likely to result in increased absenteeism in all workplaces and serious disruption to services including increased absenteeism at Community Base and disruption of services provided by outside service providers to Community Base and participant groups, by participant groups to the public and by Community Base to participant groups.
In advance of a possible pandemic Community Base will make information about this policy and the potential impact of a pandemic available to participant groups in order to help them make informed judgements about how to plan their services if a pandemic were to take place.
For the duration of a pandemic Community Base will
• close reception
• cancel participant group meetings, working lunches, open days, board meetings and other non-critical meetings
• if prudent, cancel outgoing and incoming postal services
• if prudent, cancel room bookings
• encourage home working by employees whenever possible
• keep participant groups aware of developments wherever possible
• prioritise maintenance of services to participant groups in the following order
1 fire safety
2 security systems
3 water supply
4 cleaning and recycling
5 heating
6 lighting
7 socket-based electrical supply
8 phone systems
9 broadband internet access
10 payment of suppliers and salaries
11 photocopying services
• continually review this policy in the light of government advice and experience.
This policy will be reviewed by the board of trustees at least every calendar year.
