NDIS Emergency Management Policy and Disaster Plan

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Purpose

At Bloom Healthcare, we are committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all NDIS participants during emergency situations. This policy outlines the procedures for planning, responding, and ensuring continuity of supports during emergencies, such as natural disasters, health crises (including pandemic), and other emergencies. The aim is to safeguard participants’ well-being and ensure their needs are met during times of crisis.

Scope

This policy applies to all Bloom Healthcare staff, service providers, and partners involved in the delivery of services to NDIS participants. It addresses emergencies such as bushfires, floods, cyclones, pandemics, and other emergencies that may affect participants and disrupt their normal services.

Objectives

• Ensure the ongoing health, safety, and well-being of NDIS participants during emergencies.
• Guarantee the continuity of essential services and supports that participants rely on during emergencies.
• Empower participants by involving them in emergency preparation, fostering a sense of agency and control in crisis situations.
• Provide clear guidance for staff and participants on communication, PPE usage, and emergency response training.
• Ensure the ongoing use of telehealth and other alternative support methods when appropriate.

Emergency Management Planning

1.1. Comprehensive Emergency Planning

Good emergency management requires careful planning to prepare for and respond to emergencies. At Bloom Healthcare, we will ensure that:

• Personal Emergency Plans: In the event of emergency every participant will have an individualised emergency plan tailored to their unique needs, detailing support modalities and any relevant requirements including the usage of PPE if necessary with the objective to ensure their safety and well-being.
• Regular Review and Testing: These personal emergency plans will be regularly reviewed, updated during the course of the emergency at a frequency to be determined when the initial plan is completed
• Involvement of Participants: We believe it is essential to include participants in the emergency planning process as well as any supports such as plan nominees, support workers etc. This ensures that each participant’s unique needs and preferences are considered, and it fosters their understanding of emergency procedures, giving them a sense of control over their own safety

1.2. Individual Needs and Preparation

Emergency plans will specifically account for individual needs such as:

• Medical Needs: Medications, medical equipment, and healthcare protocols.
• Mobility Needs: Support for mobility issues, whether it be assistance during evacuation or adapting living spaces for accessibility.
• Communication Needs: Consideration of communication preferences and ensuring accessible formats for information.

1.3. Communication with Support Networks

• To Participants: Emergency plans will be communicated clearly to each participant in a format that best suits their individual needs (e.g., verbal, written, or visual aids).
• To Support Networks: Participants’ families, guardians, and other support networks will be informed and involved in the planning and response process to ensure they understand their roles in an emergency.
• To Staff: Bloom Healthcare staff will be well-trained and kept informed of their responsibilities during emergencies. Any changes or updates to emergency plans will be promptly communicated to staff via email and internal notifications.

Types of Emergencies Covered

This policy covers a wide range of emergencies that may impact Bloom Healthcare participants:

• Natural Disasters: Bushfires, floods, cyclones, severe storms, and earthquakes.
• Health Crises: Pandemics or other infectious disease outbreaks.
• Other Emergencies: Power outages, accidents, or any unforeseen disruptions to services.

Communication Protocols

Availability of Emergency Plans

• Welcome Pack & Website: Bloom Healthcare will include the emergency management policy in the welcome pack provided to new participants, and the policy will be available on the Bloom Healthcare website for easy access by all participants, their families, and staff.
• Activation Notices: If the emergency management plan needs to be activated, emails and other communication channels will be used to notify participants, staff, and support networks promptly.

Effective Communication During Emergencies

• Bloom Healthcare will ensure real-time updates and clear communication with participants and staff during an emergency. This includes information on steps to take, locations to evacuate to, and any changes to service delivery or schedules.

***please note that individualised Emergency management plans to only be used in the event of disaster, however can be used at the clinicians discretion

Training and Preparedness

PPE Training and Implementation

All Bloom Healthcare staff will be trained in the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as part of our emergency preparedness. This includes:

• Initial Training: Mandatory training including proper PPE use during emergencies. This is completed through our existing infection control e-learn module
• Annual Refresher Training: Ongoing, annual training to ensure staff are up-to-date with the latest procedures and protocols.

Training for Participants

Bloom Healthcare will consider providing training resources to participants on staying safe during emergencies. This training may include information on emergency preparedness, how to use telehealth services, and how to respond to different types of emergencies.

Telehealth and Continuity of Care

During emergencies, Bloom Healthcare will leverage telehealth to ensure that critical support services continue if there is an inability to deliver face to face services. This includes virtual check-ins, consultations, and remote delivery of services where in-person visits are not possible.

Continuity of Critical Supports

Ensuring Continuity of Services

Bloom Healthcare is committed to maintaining critical supports during emergencies. This includes:

• Ensuring Essential Services: Personal care, healthcare, and other critical services will continue without disruption, either through on-site or remote support.
• Alternative Service Delivery: If in-person services are disrupted, Bloom Healthcare will make alternative arrangements, including reassignment of staff, the use of telehealth, or other technology-based solutions.

Review and Continuous Improvement

Regular Plan Review and Testing

Bloom Healthcare will conduct regular reviews and testing of emergency management plans to assess their effectiveness and ensure they remain relevant. This may include:

• Drills and emergency simulations to test the plans.
• Collecting feedback from staff and participants after each test or real emergency to improve future responses.

Continuous Improvement

Bloom Healthcare is committed to continuous improvement in our emergency management processes. Lessons learned from each emergency will be used to refine and enhance the preparedness and response strategy. This includes regularly seeking feedback from staff, participants, and support networks.

Training

All managers and clinicians will receive training on this policy during their induction. Bloom Healthcare will provide regular training to ensure that all employees and contractors are aware of this policy and understand their responsibilities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Bloom Healthcare will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this policy on an ongoing basis, using feedback from employees, clients, and customers, as well as data on referral allocation time frames, allocation compliance and waitlist management.

The Director/s and management team will be responsible for ensuring that the policy is implemented effectively, and that progress is tracked and reported to relevant stakeholders.

Employees and contractors are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions for improving the policy and related procedures.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to assess its effectiveness and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Any necessary revisions or updates will be made in a timely manner and recorded on the Policy and Procedure Register.