Setting the Scene

What is a Major Incident?

The NHS definition of a Major Incident

“Any occurrence that presents serious threat to the health of the community, disruption to the service or causes (or is likely to cause) such numbers or types of casualties as to require special arrangements to be implemented by hospitals, ambulance trusts or primary care organisations”

NHS Emergency Planning Guidance 2005

Part 1 - Civil Contingencies Act

Meaning of “emergency”

(1) In this Part “emergency” means—

(a) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the United Kingdom,

(b) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to the environment of a place in the United Kingdom, or

(c) war, or terrorism, which threatens serious damage to the security of the United Kingdom

The consequences are always the same……

• Dead and dying
• Injured
• Homeless
• Bereaved
• A completely “knackered” workforce

So, the trick is ……

• To spot the trigger(s) and
• To be ready and able to mount the appropriate response