ARCHIVED - Management Response and Action Plan - H1N1

1. Further strengthen federal/provincial/territorial capacity to prepare for and respond to pandemic influenza.

Agree

The Public Health Agency of Canada, in partnership with Health Canada, and in collaboration with other Federal departments, the Provinces and Territories, First Nations leadership and other key stakeholders is actively working to further strengthen the federal/provincial/territorial capacity to respond to a pandemic. Initiatives currently underway include:

Public Health Agency
Assistant Deputy Minister, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (LEAD)

Director General, Strategic Policy and International Affairs

Health Canada
Assistant Deputy Minister, Regions and Programs

Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy

Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health

• the comprehensive review and revision of the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector (CPIP) to include: adaptable and scalable pandemic scenarios, with this work being informed by active collaboration with mathematical modelling researchers and public health experts; streamlining governance; finalizing data sharing; and addressing issues related to First Nation communities on-reserve

• Underway - March 2013

• the review of the pandemic vaccine strategy, including the development of new pandemic vaccine contracts which will ensure Canada's rapid access to a Canadian produced pandemic vaccine for all Canadians

• Ongoing - March 2011

• the review of the national antiviral strategy to ensure that equitable access to antivirals is available to all Canadians consistent with updated evidence-based scientific recommendations, and that antiviral stockpiles are purchased and managed using the most sustainable and cost-effective strategies available

• Ongoing - March 2013

• active stakeholder consultations with national health professional and other organizations, clinicians, public health practitioners, as well as those representing Aboriginal and remote and isolated communities, are underway to assess guidance that was developed during H1N1.

• June 2011

2. Continue to clarify, communicate and test federal emergency management roles, responsibilities and mechanisms with particular attention to sustainability of response capacity and decision-making roles.

Agree

In response to a number of recent studies, reviews and audits on emergency preparedness and response, including pandemic preparedness, the Health Portfolio has been working on various issues related to emergency management. All elements of recommendation #2 are being addressed through ongoing activities of the Health Portfolio, with the Public Health Agency of Canada as the lead and with support and collaboration from Health Canada.

Public Health Agency
Assistant Deputy Minister, Emergency Management and Corporate Affairs (LEAD)

Health Canada
Assistant Deputy Minister, Regions and Programs

Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health

The Health Portfolio Emergency Preparedness Policy and Plan will be revised. Specific issues being addressed include the clarification of emergency management roles and responsibilities; the development of emergency operating procedures; surge human resource capacity; emergency management training; and a formalised methodology and governance structure for lessons learned.

3. Improve the Health Portfolio’s ability to communicate science to various audiences.

Agree

Refine approaches for translating scientific knowledge into information useful for planning, decision making and communications.

Public Health Agency
Senior Assistant Deputy  Minister, Programs Sector (LEAD)

Health Canada
Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Affairs, Consultation and Communications

Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy

Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Products and Food

• The Health Portfolio will review its current practices for translating scientific knowledge with a view to exploring the feasibility of developing a specific science communications approach to ensure that scientific data is translated into information useful for planning, decision making, and communications.

• March 2011

Use appropriate language and formats for guidance documents

• An assessment of the guidance documents developed during H1N1 will be undertaken in order to develop best practices for drafting and disseminating guidelines during significant public health events. The best practices will include guidelines for the use of appropriate clear language and tone for the target audiences.

• March 2012

Review strategies to communicate uncertainty, risk and shifts in scientific knowledge in order to build public trust.

• A strategy will be developed to streamline and enhance collaboration with partners -including the provinces and territories, non-governmental organizations and national Aboriginal organizations - in communicating uncertainty, risk and shifts in scientific knowledge to various audiences. Existing communications channels will be considered.

• March 2012

• An assessment of the Health Portfolio's ability to apply risk communications practices will be undertaken to evaluate its application and effectiveness in communicating risk and uncertainty during significant public health events.

• September 2011

Effectively communicate regulatory processes and mechanisms

• Health Canada will continue to develop information products to better communicate to Canadians and stakeholders the role of the regulator, including regulatory requirements for vaccine market authorization, the vaccine review and production process.

• September 2011