Posted By Buzz Not wanting to cause a 'this is only flu' debate; but i'm putting together a business continuity plan detailing how we will continue to provide a service in light of a pandemic etc. The current advice regarding isolation of individuals who have contracted the flu and keeping people away from them is fine until you need to provide a service into this area. I assume this is where business as usual applies but with the provision of additional protection to these workers, i.e. disposable gloves, hand sanitiser etc. Is anyone dealing with this and is willing to share what they've put in place? Also, to face mask or not and which type?

Posted By Buzz The services cover two areas, those that will require the worker to work in an individuals premises, although not with the infected person; and services directly with individuals who could be infected (care & support).

Posted By Tabs You should also check the information for health-care professionals given on the Health Protection Authority website. FFP3 is correct standard - but of dubious worth in most circumstances. See above site and various others for comments about efficacy.

Posted By Dave Merchant At the current level of response there's no reason to suspend business activities, even if you're dealing with known patients. We're expecting around 30% of the population to be infected by the end of next month so everyone will be exposed just by going about their normal lives. One thing to remember though is that some of your staff may be enhanced-risk without you knowing (asthma, immune deficiencies, etc.) and they should be given the option to avoid close contact with patients. The P3 mask guidance remains important - if you're in close proximity to a patient, you should be wearing one (correctly), and they should be too if they're in a location shared by people who are enhanced-risk (such as communal areas in hospitals, etc.). I've commented elsewhere on here about how and why masks do or do not work.