Standards
 

Influenza pandemic: Information for registrants

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an influenza pandemic; this statement explains your responsibilities.

Dental and other health services

The Departments of Health and local organisations which commission health services have made arrangements for the delivery of healthcare during a pandemic. For information about national guidance on service delivery and related topics please keep in touch with your local NHS authorities and check relevant websites

Your professional responsibilities

You may be asked to provide treatment at specialist centres, to continue providing treatment to non-symptomatic patients in your practice and/or to take part in other forms of healthcare delivery.  As a healthcare professional, you should act ethically in this difficult situation. GDC guidance emphasises your professional duty to put patients’ interests first, taking account of your health and safety commitments to your teams.

If you are asked to do something which is outside your normal area of practice, you need to be sure that you are competent to do it and check that you are covered by indemnity.

Your health

As health professionals you should not let your own state of health put patients at risk. If you become unwell you should follow appropriate advice including any local measures which may be in place. 

Other sources of information