- While this document provides broad guidance, the detail must be left to the discretion of those involved in managing the response in RPs and the Scottish Government. Flexibility will be critical in making these arrangements work as there is a wide range of possible scenarios that could arise, and the approach taken will depend on assessment of the situation at the time. Rapid and close liaison between key personnel in local and national organisations and in the Scottish Government will be essential in identifying and activating the most appropriate mechanism.
- There are circumstances that may initially be managed by an NHS Board as a ‘Public Health incident’, in accordance with Scottish Government guidance. This will involve activation of a NHS-chaired Incident Management Team (IMT) - Public Health Scotland - Management of Public Health Incidents: Guidance on the roles and responsibilities of NHS led incident management teams. However, such an incident may escalate or be deemed sufficiently serious to require activation of a coordinated RP response.
- Examples of other existing specific coordination arrangements relating to particular hazards or specific types of emergencies that may precede or sit alongside or within a STAC include:
- For significant airborne hazards – the Airborne Hazard Advisory Cell (AHAC) - Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) - Airborne hazards emergency response service.
- For response to contamination of drinking water supplies – the Scottish Waterborne Hazard Plan (SWHP) – a multi-agency plan held on behalf of key stakeholders by Scottish Water.
- For public health and environmental issues at sea – the Standing Environment Group (SEG) is normally led by Marine Scotland (noting that SEGs cover the entire coastline of the UK, but since March 2003 a single SEG has covered all of Scotland).
- For scientific and technical advice for an animal disease response - The National Experts Group (NEG) and the Incident Management Team (IMT) (where there is zoonotic disease) - Scottish Government - Animal Health and Disease Control Information.
- Unless a further level of coordination such as a STAC is deemed to be required by the lead responders, the existing specific arrangements should take precedence. How such an assessment is made, and by whom, should be discussed, agreed and exercised by all those who may be involved prior to any incident occurring.
- Where a STAC is convened, it should be aware that there may be such other groups dealing with specific aspects of the response and should negotiate how to best link with these groups in order to provide a single source of advice and avoid duplication of effort. Dependent on the scenario and requirements at the time, it may be that these groups could best operate as subgroups of the STAC.
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