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Guernsey's emergency services, planners and health experts are taking part in an exercise today, looking at how the island would deal with a flu pandemic, in case we get struck by one this winter.
A similar exercise is happening in Jersey this week to test the updated joint Channel Islands Pandemic Flu Strategic Plan.
Throughout the day, an emergency will be simulated and agencies will be have to work through planned responses to the situation as it unfolds. It aims to test the island's preparedness as well as arrangements for joint working between Guernsey and Jersey's health service, the islands' local resilience forums and partner agencies.
Pandemic flu is the worldwide spread of a new flu virus for which there in no immediate vaccine available.
Pictured: Dr Nicola Brink.
"Whilst we meet with our Jersey colleagues annual to consider our joint pandemic flu planning we need to actually test our preparedness in a simulated exercise," explained Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink.
"A pandemic is unpredictable in its nature and these table-top exercises will enable us to work with our healthcare and emergency colleagues to update our plans and apply any lessons learnt to our strategic plan."
Both the Guernsey and Jersey exercises will be attended by the National Lead for Pandemic Influenza for NHS England and NHS Improvement, and Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response Manager for NHS England and NHS Improvement, Jon Malley. The pair will act as facilitators for the events.
Pictured top: The Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
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