Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza

1.2 Information distribution

Decision makers in the health sector

The DoHA currently delivers regular situation reports to leaders and decision makers in the health sector regarding the Australian phase and risk of a pandemic. The distribution networks for these reports would be reviewed once it appears a pandemic virus has emerged overseas (DELAY), and the timeliness and frequency of this reporting would be scaled up. At this stage, the National Incident Room (NIR) within the DoHA becomes the focal point for communication.

Health professionals

Governments throughout Australia are working to ensure that health professionals can access accurate and timely information on the:

• situation
• pandemic assumptions
• latest scientific research findings on patient care and public health interventions.

Primary care providers will be provided with timely alerts by health departments through fax, websites, email via existing mailing lists, and other broadcast systems held by the various peak medical and health care bodies representing medical practitioners, pharmacists and nurses. Other communications systems, such as the use of private pathology laboratory communications networks, may be utilised if appropriate.

Health professionals will also provide vital information to the public. Their advice will affect how the public responds to the pandemic. Health professionals will help the public understand the situation and take measures to protect themselves.
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General public

The Australian Government, state and territory and local governments are working together on communication strategies and plans to deliver consistent and accurate public messages nationwide in the event of a pandemic. Governments will make every effort to provide timely and reliable advice to the public, media, businesses and industries.

The DoHA has developed a comprehensive health sector communication strategy. The strategy is designed to be flexible to accommodate the various ways a pandemic might develop and to provide clear, accurate and timely information to Australians. A public information campaign using a range of media, including electronic, print, outdoor (e.g. signs), online media and communications materials will be delivered through health providers and, if necessary, direct to households. The health sector communication strategy is complemented by a whole of government communication strategy.

In a pandemic, the DoHA will provide general information about:

• what is happening internationally
• information about the disease and what areas in Australia are affected
• general advice on infection control and how to prepare for a pandemic
• information on how the health sector is responding.

This information will be provided via:

• TV, newspapers or radio
• the DoHA website at www.flupandemic.gov.au
• the DoHA Public Health Information Line (PHIL) 1800 004 599.

During the pandemic, members of the public should call their local state and territory information lines for immediate advice if:

• someone in the household develops symptoms of pandemic influenza
• they want information regarding local arrangements such as the location of flu clinic or vaccination services.

These numbers will be widely publicised in the event of a pandemic and will be available at www.flupandemic.gov.au.

The DoHA will work with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that Australians overseas are appropriately informed so that they can make decisions about returning home.

Governments at all levels will communicate with business and industry via established networks such as the Trusted Information Sharing Network. Additional information on the Trusted Information Sharing Network is available from the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department via www.tisn.gov.au.
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Phase snapshot: Information distribution

PHASE	HEALTH ACTION
ALERT	Identify communication mechanisms with health sector decision makers Develop and distribute education material for healthcare professionals and the public Prepare pandemic specific websites, hotlines and messages
DELAY	Continue communications with health sector decision makers, as appropriate Implement communications with health professionals and public: pandemic specific website, hotlines and media based public information campaign
CONTAIN	Continue communications with health sector decision makers, as appropriate Continue communications with health professionals and public: website, hotlines, public information campaign; update messages to ensure timely and accurate information is provided Evaluate public and health professionals awareness levels, attitudes and intentions relating to public health measures; modify messages and information to ensure it meets their needs
SUSTAIN	Continue communications with health sector decision makers, as appropriate Continue communications with health professionals and public: website, hotlines, public information campaign; update messages to ensure timely and accurate information is provided Ensure public and health professionals understand reasons why interventions might be modified and tailored to best meet the needs of the situation and/or specific population groups Evaluate public and health professionals awareness levels, attitudes and intentions relating to public health measures; modify messages and information to ensure it meets their needs
CONTROL
RECOVER	Continue communications with health sector decision makers, as appropriate Continue communications with health professionals and public: website, hotlines, public information campaign; update messages to ensure timely and accurate information is provided, with a focus on recovery Build capacity so that we can rapidly return to CONTAIN phase level of activity again if additional pandemic waves occur Evaluate public and health professionals awareness levels, attitudes and intentions relating to public health measures; modify messages and information to ensure it meets their needs
Linked document	Australian Health Pandemic Influenza Communications Strategy (Public Communications Annex) (May 2006)

Note: The same health actions apply for both SUSTAIN and CONTROL for this table.

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