Publication - Advice and guidance

Preparing for Emergencies Guidance

Published: 30 November 2023
From: Chief Operating Officer of NHS Scotland
Part of: Equality and rights, Health and social care
ISBN: 9781835212189

This guidance provides advice, considerations, and support from a strategic lens for Health Boards to effectively prepare for emergencies in compliance with relevant legislation.

Supporting documents

Appendix 5 - Managing Public Health Incident resources

The following resources are useful in enabling Health Boards to plan for various types of public health incidents:

‘The Management of Public Health Incidents - Guidance on the Roles and Responsibilities of NHS-led Incident Management Teams’, Public Health Scotland, (Interim Update 2020)

Compendium of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Guidance

The Scottish Waterborne Hazard Plan (information available for Public Health Protection Teams via the Scottish Health Protection Information Resource: SHPIR)

Scotland’s emergency air pollution response service, the Airborne hazards emergency response (AHER) service, led by SEPA

‘Dealing with Assertions of Human Health Risks or Effects from Environmental Exposures: A Systematic Approach’, Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, 2000

‘Guidance on the management of outbreaks of foodborne illness in Scotland. A supplementary guide to the management of public health incidents’ is due to be published in Autumn 2023

‘The Health and Social Care Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response’,

Department of Health 2012

‘The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy’, Department of Health, 2011

‘Management of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers and Similar Human Infectious Diseases of High Consequence’, Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, 2015

‘Communicating With the Public About Public Health Risks’, Health Protection Scotland, 2008

‘Bloodborne Viruses: Managing Severe Penetrating Injuries: for managing risk of BBVs like hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV’, Public Health England, 2017

‘Bloodborne Viruses: Managing Risk in Bomb Blast Victims: Guidance on managing risk of BBVs, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV’, Public Health England, 2017

‘Scotland’s national respiratory surveillance plan’ Public Health Scotland, 2022

‘Plan for monitoring and responding to new SARS-CoV-2 variants and mutations (VAMs)’, Public Health Scotland, 2022

‘Recognise and respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents: guidance for healthcare professionals’, Public Health England, 2018