Health Protection Agency joins forces with UN and WHO to launch strategy for safer hospitals

14 October 2009

The HPA is teaming up with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the WHO to host the annual International Day for Disaster Reduction with this year's theme being 'Hospitals Safe from Disasters.'

For the first time the event will be held in London and the HPA has been selected to host it at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

The event marks the culmination of a two year World Disaster Reduction campaign jointly organised by UNISDR, WHO and The World Bank's Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).

A Review of five London hospital fires and their management, is being published by NHS London to mark the day. The review highlights the benefits of developing excellent management processes and staff training in protecting patients from the effects of disasters, which may result in large scale evacuations of hospitals.

The global launch will involve several key note speakers who will discuss the need to reduce national and local risks from disasters, and highlight the need for health systems to be capable of withstanding natural hazards and operate in their aftermath.

Speakers at the launch will include:

• Eric Laroche, Assistant Director-General, Health Action in Crises, World Health Organization
• Helena Molin Valdés, Deputy Director, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat
• Justin McCracken, Chief Executive, Health Protection Agency
• Dr David Heymann, Chairman, Health Protection Agency

Dr Heymann said: "The HPA is honoured to help in the global launch marking the International Day for Disaster Reduction which highlights the important area of protecting hospitals from the effects of disasters.

"The HPA has a proud history both within the UK and internationally of providing strong support for public health protection and emergency preparedness and response. We are grateful for the WHO, The World Bank and UNISDR's work in fostering a global and national strategy for reducing the risk from disasters and welcome the 'hospitals safe from disasters' initiative."

The global launch will also announce the first ever Thematic Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction for Health. The platform brings together national and international partners to promote actions in health systems to reduce death and suffering from disasters and other crises.

Notes to editors

• The global event will be held at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Speeches will be made from 9am to 11:30am and a press conference will be held from 11.45am - 12.15.
• A copy of the Review of five London hospital fires and their management can be seen at http://www.london.nhs.uk/emergencyplanning
• For media enquiries contact the HPA's CRCE Press Office on 01235 822876 or 01235 822745.
  

Last reviewed: 13 October 2009