Community preparedness

What is the local community capacity?

Is there any local community plan of action?

Who are the most vulnerable groups/individuals within your community?

Issues for local communities to consider:

• How well does the community know itself?
• How could a community be aware of, and respond to, sick members?
• How much neighbourliness is there? ie how much does this community know itself and would be able to recognise and support the vulnerable
• How would communication work in this community if many people were sick at home?
• Consider the need for specific focused plans for groups such as Maori communities, Pacific communities, refugees and non-English speakers,

Advice sheet that can be handed out to patients: RNZCGP Handout (PDF) 

Communication Issues with communities
For a strategic plan refer Pegasus "Communications Activation Strategy (PDF)"

Support Patients/ Communities in Communicating: A Plan for Households:

• Consider making a plan to stay at home for several weeks during an influenza pandemic
• Talk to family and friends about this plan
• Talk to neighbours, local community
  Do you know your neighbour?
• Consider how you could manage for food and supplies if you and your family are ill.
• Do you have a telephone/contact network for friends, neighbours
• Think about an emergency supplies kit. Basic emergency kits are listed on the inside back cover of the Yellow Pages.
• Can you stock enough food and water to last for a least a week
• Have extra paracetamol or ibuprofen, and if you have prescription medicines (eg for blood pressure). Always renew your prescription well before you run out.
• Have extra tissues or toilet paper and plastic bags for rubbish disposal
• Activities to keep the family occupied if staying at home for a few weeks
• Remember hand hygiene
• Consider influenza vaccination

Handout available from the Ministry of Health "Getting Ready for a Pandemic (PDF)". This covers general advice around preparing for an epidemic