Ministry of Economic Development Home| Contact MED|


Jump to Site Navigation Links
 
 
 

Links to this page were:

Section Subnavigation Links:

Communication


Example of a New Zealand Workplace Influenza Pandemic Health Plan

The Shell Company of Australia Limited
[ Originally Published on 01 Oct 2005 ]


1. To the Business from External or Internal Sources Regarding Pandemic Phases

New Zealand Government Communication

  1. The designation of global phases is made by the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO)
  2. The Ministry of Health (MoH) leads the New Zealand government's planning and response to pandemic influenza
  3. A health technical advisory group provides advice to the Ministry of Health
  4. Communication of the New Zealand situation with regard to the pandemic and the response will be via a variety of sources:
    • Pandemic Phone line
      1. Free pandemic national phone line 0800 number (planned to use the Ministry of Health emergency phone line)
    • Ministry of Health website for current status, fact sheets and FAQ, general information on vaccines, medication and treatment guidelines
    • Travel Advice
      1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website will provide travel advice
      2. Those returning to New Zealand may be required to undergo additional screening and quarantine, and maybe also be subject to exit screening at their point of departure
  5. The Official's Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC) will advise government on appropriate responses, including:
    • Exercise of powers under the Health Act 1956 and the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, and
    • Communication strategy.
  6. The New Zealand Government response will be coordinated through the CIMS structure (Coordinated Incident Management System) and the District Health Board major incident and emergency plans and regional incident coordination plans
  7. Steps for escalations of the pandemic plan will originate with the MoH. The MoH will advise the Intersectoral Pandemic Group and at the same time put the notification on their website and into their media contacts. The Ministry of Economic Development will also take reasonable steps to ensure that relevant infrastructure providers are aware.

Business Communication for Health Professionals

  1. The Business approach to the influenza threat is to align with Ministry of Health recommendations and to avoid causing unnecessary panic
  2. The business's primary communication channel will be the health website at http://xxx. Specific professional information for Business health practitioner(s) will also be made available both through this website and through direct communication.
  3. The Business Chief Medical Advisor (CMA) will notify the Business CEO

2. Within Business

Within Lines of Business in New Zealand

  1. Notification of change in Alert Code (escalation of pandemic) will come from MoH on its website and through their media contacts
  2. The issue should be escalated to the Business New Zealand CEO or his delegates for a decision regarding activation of business continuity and/or health management plans
  3. The decision will be made in conjunction with the Chief Medical Advisor (CMA) for the business
  4. Crisis management team will be informed. Depending on circumstances, team will include senior representatives from Health, HR, HSSE, External Affairs and Lines of Business as well as CMA.
  5. If possible, the crisis team should meet virtually to avoid the risk of spreading infection amongst the team
  6. If relevant, the crisis management team will take steps to invoke Business Continuity and Health Management Plans

Health Response Communications

  1. The CMA will coordinate the health communications in conjunction with the crisis team
  2. In accordance with decisions made by the Crisis Management Team, the health plan will be invoked
  3. Communications will be made via email and telephone
  4. Communications will include nominated back up people

3. Communications to Employees

  1. Communications to employees will be managed as per the Business Continuity plan
  2. This will be via email, internet and intranet website, telephone, SMS or postal services
  3. Links to relevant Business or external sites will be included (e.g. New Zealand Ministry of Health, WHO, etc)
  4. Instructions regarding information numbers to call, and the centre for reporting problems or concerns will be used
  5. A website showing the names of all worksite Influenza Managers will be posted on the Business Intranet
Back to Top


Jump to main page content.