« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Section 7 - Resources
54. In devising this Plan the Scottish Executive has made a commitment that additional resources will be made available from elsewhere within the Scottish Executive and its Agencies to support the Environment and Rural Affairs Department in its lead Department role. The Scottish Executive is working to develop an Emergency Cadre of staff who can be identified and quickly released to help with the Scottish Executive response in any emergency situation, such as an outbreak of animal disease .
55. Part of this strategy means that staff working in an intense operational and policy area will be rotated as appropriate to ensure that they are not overburdened to the detriment of their health. This was a key element from the lessons learnt from the 2001 FMD outbreak, and reflects army policy. Further information on the welfare support role provided by the Employee Assistance Programme for permanent Scottish Executive staff and immediate family members is available on 0800 587 5670.
LDCCs
56. The Scottish Executive is responsible for providing the LDCC infrastructure and locations will be identified in SVS Local Contingency Plans.
57. The DVM will set up a LDCC when disease is confirmed. DVMs will identify and regularly review the availability of potential LDCC locations. They will also maintain information on suppliers and contractors should temporary accommodation be required and ensure access to telephone / IT equipment. The Scottish Executive will also be prepared to deploy and connect its own communications infrastructure at immediate notice. (Details on locations and capacity requirements of LDCCs are detailed in Annex L).
IT Infrastructure
58. The main computer system for HPAI/ ND control will be the Diseases of Poultry Control System ( DPDCS). This is the Management Information System which will be used in the event of an outbreak. DVMs will ensure that all their Animal Health Office staff are familiar with the functionality of the DPDCS, requesting training from SVSIT Unit as appropriate.
Procurement
59. Defra is responsible for the GB Animal Health budget for funding disease control strategy. This reflects the need for co-ordinated action within a single epidemiological unit and the ability to exploit economies of scale in procurement. As such, operational procurement will be co-ordinated with Defra and will take advantage of various call-off contacts which have been established as part of GB-wide contingency planning arrangements.
60. The Defra Procurement and Contracts Division ( PCD) will provide a team to operate at operational level from 72 hours or sooner, to manage all of the procurement activities at a local level. These will include a Commercial Manager (Procurement), Contracts Manager, Purchasing Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Field Store Manager and Field Manager (Procurement). Forensic accountants will be engaged prior to receipt and approval of supplier/contractor invoices and will be responsible for the certification, verification and evaluation of these invoices.
61. The ROD/ DVM will ensure that PCD have been contacted at the suspect case stage, so that the appropriate resources can be placed on standby. Sources of supply for personnel have been identified by PCD and these resources can be called upon in the event of a notifiable disease outbreak or other emergency situation. Best practice guidance is available to Animal Health Divisional Offices which will provide support until Procurement staff arrive and will include guidance covering the triggering of contingency contracts; authorisation and use of emergency purchase orders and procurement cards; and contract management and letting.
Contracts
62. Defra PCD are, and will be responsible for ensuring that robust, value for money contracts are let and mobilised for goods, services and works requirements including their contract management and forensic examination. These contracts will be let on a regional and local basis, in consultation with local Animal Health Offices, to supply contingency arrangements to meet all foreseeable requirements of an emergency or notifiable disease outbreak. All Suppliers will be vetted and will be subject to regular review.
63. These contracts and arrangements will include but not be limited to slaughter and disposal, gatherers and ancillary equipment; carcass pick-up; preliminary C&D including detoxification units; management and disposal; electrical works and technical services. Details of contingency contracts will be held locally (at each Animal Health Divisional Office) and centrally ( PCD).
64. A supplementary list of suppliers will be kept in Animal Health Offices as a back-up to the contingency contracts already in place, and these are likely to be engaged where a notifiable disease cannot be confined either in scale or geographically.
65. These lists include, for each AHDO, a list of transport companies indicating the number and type of vehicles that the companies have available for immediate use together with the companies' ability to scale up supply within defined timescales.
Procurement by the Scottish Executive
66. Procurement of goods and services required for administrative support (including accommodation, furniture, personnel and utilities) is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive. SE Procurement Division will liaise with the ROD to ensure that these are procured in line with Scottish Executive policy. Consultation between Defra's PCD and Scottish Executive Procurement Division would be undertaken as necessary.
Serology
67. In the event of a disease outbreak within GB, Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease diagnostic samples would go to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge.
« Previous | Contents | Next »