Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza

B2. Strategic framework and operational objectives

The overarching aim of preparedness and response to a pandemic is;

• to protect Australians and reduce the impact of the pandemic on social and economic functioning,

as outlined in the whole of government National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic (NAP). All sectors within Australia are preparing to be able to contribute to achieving this aim in the event of a pandemic. To do this, each sector has set its own goals and objectives.

The health sector’s goal is;

• to minimise the impact of an influenza pandemic on health and the health sector.

To achieve this goal, the health sector will need to prepare and respond in four different operational areas. An operational objective has been set for each of these key areas.

The four operational objectives are:
1: Communicate the best available information to decision makers, health professionals and the public.
Achievement of this objective is vital so that decision-making is effective, timely and transparent. It is also vital that health professionals and the public have knowledge of the situation so that they are able to take the right actions to protect themselves and care for others.

There are two sub-objectives for objective 1. These are:

1.1 collect and analyse appropriate information to guide decision making (information collection and analysis)
1.2 communicate appropriate information effectively to decision makers, health professionals and the public (information distribution).

2: Minimise transmission (spread) of the pandemic virus.
Actions will be taken to reduce the spread of the pandemic virus to minimise the number of people affected by the disease.

There are four sub-objectives for objective 2. These are:

2.1 support control activities overseas
2.2 delay the entry of a pandemic virus to Australia by using border measures
2.3 slow the spread in the community
2.4 vaccinate the population to protect individuals and control the pandemic.

3: Optimise the health system to reduce mortality (deaths) and morbidity (illness).
Different actions will be taken so that the health system can provide optimal care for those with pandemic influenza as well as continue to treat those patients presenting with other health needs.

There are four sub-objectives for objective 3. These are:

3.1 protect and provide surge capacity in the health workforce
3.2 establish and maintain influenza-specific services
3.3 maintain life-saving non influenza services and support services
3.4 reduce avoidable demand on the health system.

4: Work in partnership across all sectors of government to support the whole of government aim of protecting Australians and reducing the impact of a pandemic on social functioning and the economy.
It will be important to ensure that the right health advice can be provided across government. Where assistance from other sectors (for example, power) is needed for health to achieve its objectives, it is important that these areas of interdependency are identified and addressed.

There are two sub-objectives for objective 4. These are:

4.1 provide health sector advice for decision makers across government
4.2 identify and monitor interdependencies from other sectors on health infrastructure and services essential for health system function.

The Strategic Framework (see Figure 1) shows the relationship between the overarching whole of government aim, the goals of the health sector response and the underpinning operational objectives. The actions that health will consider taking during a pandemic in order to achieve each of the four operational objectives are described in detail in Part 1, Section C.

Figure 1: Strategic Framework

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This information is current for 03 September, 2010
This information was issued on 05 December, 2008