This framework sets out how national and local partners will work with the public at a local level to prevent, contain and manage outbreaks. Successful management of local outbreaks is a core element of NHS Test and Trace’s ambition to break the chains of COVID-19 transmission to enable people to return to and maintain a more normal way of life.
The Department for Health and Social Care has published a guide for local decision-makers on the COVID-19 contain framework.
This national framework will support local decision-makers by clarifying their responsibilities and empowering them to take preventative action and make strong decisions locally, supported by mechanisms that safeguard key national assets and interests.
Managing outbreaks is very dynamic. The overarching aim is to empower local decision-makers to act at the earliest stage for local incidents, and ensure swift national support is readily accessible where needed. Continuous improvement is critical as we learn more about managing the virus alongside existing infectious disease and emergency response arrangements. We will continue to communicate and work with local, regional and national teams to develop structures and ways of working, working alongside and within existing emergency response mechanisms and maximising their effectiveness.
Ministers are accountable nationally, as set out in the Prime Minister’s statement on 3 July for setting this framework and for oversight and intervention where necessary. Locally, Directors of Public Health (DPH) are accountable for controlling local outbreaks, working with Public Health England (PHE) and local health protection boards, supported with resource deployment by local ‘gold’ structures led by council chief executives, and local boards to communicate and engage with communities led by council leaders.
Six principles support the effective implementation of an integrated national and local system:
- the primary responsibility is to make the public safe
- build on public health expertise and use a systems approach
- be open with data and insight so everyone can protect themselves and others
- build consensus between decision-makers to secure trust, confidence and consent
- follow well-established emergency management principles
- consider equality, economic, social and health-related impacts of decisions
Read in full here.
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