The Role of Emergency Preparedness in Home Health Care

The Common Emergencies in Home Care
Emergency preparedness in home health care is so important because of the impact that not having access to essential supplies or services could present for someone more vulnerable. All organisations have to have be prepared for the consequences of an emergency situation, from the largest down to the smallest. For instance, the NHS has an emergency preparedness plan in place, describing its responsibility as follows: “The NHS needs to anticipate and manage the consequences of incidents and emergencies by identifying risks and understanding direct and indirect consequences, where possible.”

How an Emergency Preparedness Plan can Help
It’s essential that individuals and organisations that might have to respond to incidents are properly prepared for what that might entail. From your point of view, you may be wondering how your Helping Hands care would continue in the event of an emergency situation, which is why we have a plan in place to ensure that, should something unexpected happen, your service would remain uninterrupted to the best of our ability. There are also things that individuals can do on a personal level though, to ensure that they are prepared for unexpected events.
Key Elements of the Plan
The NHS classifies emergencies in three categories, a Business Continuity Incident, a Critical Incident, or a Major Incident. Each of these categories is impactful in its own right but will be approached differently, depending on the possible consequences of the event on essential service delivery. All organisations have a responsibility to their service users to plan for unexpected events and occurrences, from the minor right up to the major. For instance, a minor incident might be the interruption of electricity supplies for a few minutes, which many people would find just a minor inconvenience. But what about people who are on essential medical equipment that requires electricity? These types of occurrences will be addressed, right up to country-wide or global events such as a pandemic.

Essential Supplies to Have Around the House
You may be thinking ‘I understand why this is important for large organisations like the NHS, but why is emergency preparedness important in healthcare at home?’ As we’ve all experienced in recent times, the interruptions to local supply chains and essential services through an unexpected global event is a very real possibility. We can all help ourselves to be better prepared at home by keeping supplies of essential medicines, foodstuffs and water in case of emergency. It’s also a good idea to have some candles or battery lights and plenty of spare batteries, although care must always be taken with naked flames. Remaining safe at home is the key message to take away from the plan.

Different Technologies for Emergency Preparedness
There is always the risk of an impact on mobile telephone networks during an emergency event, which can make people panic if they are not able to contact loved ones. However, by being prepared for possible occurrences, these situations can be mitigated. Often, social media will be utilised to notify a large amount of people about a situation, so helping loved ones to understand how they can safely access these platforms may be beneficial. Some people also make use of short-wave radios or ‘walkie-talkies’ or keep an older, basic mobile phone activated so that it can be used if smartphone services are not available.
Updating the Emergency Preparedness Plan
Circumstances change, and world events are shifting rapidly these days, so a flexible plan that can adapt to ongoing proceedings is essential. Locally, your changing health needs will be monitored and if necessary, updated in the plan. For instance, you may now use an oxygen machine at home, so a plan will need to be in place in case the electricity supply is interrupted. Your carer may be the person who is shopping for your groceries, but what if they are suddenly unable to find what you need in-store? Having alternatives in mind because of supply chain issues is sensible, and the same goes for medication too. Having a chat with your GP or practice nurse in advance about what you should do if your medication was suddenly unavailable will prevent a stressful situation if the worse did occur.
What our Team of Experts can do for you
Our experienced care teams in your area are prepared for anything! Because we’ve been delivering care in our customers’ homes since 1989, we really do understand home care, which is why we’re the UK’s most trusted provider. Having someone providing care in your own home means that, should the worst happen, you won’t be restricted the way that care homes will have to be and your loved ones will be reassured that you’re still getting the help you need.
We offer home care on both a visiting and live-in care basis, from an hour a week up to 24-hour care. We’ll support you with everything you need at home and help you make the most of your local community, too. And because all of our care and support is fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and the Care Inspectorate Wales, you’ll know you’re always in the very best hands.
