​​​​​​All plans on this site are fit for purpose and should be referred to and enacted dependent upon the incident.

For latest advice and guidance documents for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience & Response please click here​.​

What is a Major Emergency or Major Incident?

Major emergencies or disasters are termed 'Major Incidents' by the CIVIL CONTINGENCIES ACT 2004. A Major Incident is any incident that has the potential to escalate and:

• ​Requires a substantial emergency response from one or more agencies that is likely to stretch resources
  
• Needs special arrangements to be put in place including the unlocking of resources.
  
• Requires a planned, coordinated multi agency approach and the implementation of Command and Control arrangements.​
  

Why plan for emergencies?​

​​               Receiving​​ a Major Incident casualty

​            Booking in a Major incident casualty

• ​The main reason is of course, because disasters can and do happen and it’s sensible to have plans to deal with them.​
  
• There is a moral duty of care to patients and their families, the staff, the community and partner agencies. 
  
• Emergency plans are an insurance policy to mitigate the social and financial costs of Major Incidents. 
  
• As an acute NHS trust we are a ‘Category One Responder’ under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and have a statutory obligation to plan, train and exercise for emergencies in consultation, coordination, communication and cooperation with partner agencies like other NHS organisations, emergency services, local authorities, government agencies, the voluntary sector, commercial healthcare providers, contractors and suppliers.​​​
  

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