In response to the first set of recommendations from the ongoing Covid-19 inquiry, emergency service teams, local councils, and government officials in the UK will participate in a multi-day pandemic preparedness exercise. Thousands of people across various parts of the country will take part in the test, likely to be held in the autumn. The move aims to help the UK better prepare itself for potential future threats.
According to government minister Pat McFadden, the national pandemic exercise will be the first of its kind in almost a decade, designed to test capabilities, plans, and procedures in the face of new threats. The findings and lessons learned from the exercise will be made public – as requested by Baroness Hallett, the chair of the inquiry into the handling of the pandemic. The Baroness’s report indicated that the UK was ill-prepared for the coronavirus pandemic and failed its citizens.
In addition to the pandemic preparedness exercise, the emergency alert system – which sounds an alarm through mobile phones – will undergo a full test later this year. The government also aims to train 4,000 people each year to be better prepared for crises such as pandemics, through the opening of a UK resilience academy in April. The academy will provide training to people in various areas across the country.
As per Mr. McFadden, the Covid-19 inquiry report highlighted that the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups. Therefore, the officials will produce a new national “vulnerability map” that highlights populations who may be vulnerable in a crisis. This map would use data on several parameters such as age, ethnicity, disability, and whether someone is receiving care, to help provide more targeted local support.
Pandemic planning and resilience efforts are also critical for strengthening the fundamental elements of the country, Mr. McFadden added. The Baroness’s report highlighted the need for a significant overhaul of the systems involved in preparing the country for civil emergencies. She also pointed out that the UK lacked resilience, with high rates of ill-health and public services operating close to, if not beyond, capacity
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