Emergency planning
NHS West Sussex takes the lead role to make sure that all NHS trusts across Sussex are ready for an emergency. This includes working together to make sure that the right plans and processes are in place to provide safe, coordinated and effective health services in the case of a major incident.
We also work closely with other partners such as the police, local authorities and other emergency services to prepare a coordinated response to an emergency. This group is called the Sussex Resilience Forum.
Specifically, NHS West Sussex's role is to:
- coordinate an NHS response in the case of an emergency
- provide leadership and direction to NHS organisations in Sussex for emergency planning, resilience, business continuity and recovery
- coordinate the NHS contribution to multi-agency planning and preparedness at a strategic level.
What you can do to prepare for an emergency:
Emergencies can be very stressful and worrying. However, there are a number of things that you can do to make sure you are ready for an emergency:
- Make sure you have a complete first-aid kit at home, and that everything in it is in date.
- Have a list of useful phone numbers at home. Many of us rely on our mobile phones, but have a back-up list just in case.
- Know how to turn off your water, gas and electricity supplies.
- If you have children, make sure you know what the emergency plans are at your child's school.
- Make sure you know what the emergency plans are at your work.
If you are asked to leave your home:
In most cases you are safer in your own home or place of work.
However, sometimes you may be asked to leave your home by the emergency services.
If this happens, remember to:
- turn off your water, gas and electricity supplies
- lock all doors and windows
- bring your useful phone numbers, mobile phone, any regularly prescribed medication, cash and credit cards, and your first-aid kit
- take some bottled water and blankets if you are leaving by car
- think about your family and neighbours: is there anyone vulnerable who may need your help?
First aid
To find out more about how you could help people during an emergency, you could learn first aid with St John Ambulance or the British Red Cross.
You can also access information on this website about how to choose the right NHS treatment.
