Course unit details:
Emergency Planning, Response & Resilience
| Unit code | POPH64132 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The course is designed to provide a theoretical grounding in Emergency Planning, Response & Resilience (EPRR) for health care professionals with a responsibility for emergency planning and resilience and an introduction to the subject for those with an interest.
The unit will enable students to study the evidence base underpinning major incident and emergency management, with case studies, in order to develop a critical view of resilience and capacity management. The course will provide students with an ability to critically review major incident planning and explore some of the specialist incident types that require a dedicated response. Students will review the UK legislative framework surrounding major incident planning and resilience as a basis to discuss regional, national and international responses to multiple casualty events. Students will also gain an understanding of the health effects of chemical, biological, radiation and climate related hazards.
Aims
This unit aims for students to gain an understanding of the principles of emergency planning, response and resilience and their application in a range of situations.
Learning outcomes
| Category of outcome: | Students will be able to: |
| Knowledge and understanding | Recognise key definitions, concepts and frameworks that underpin EPRR Demonstrate a working knowledge of legislation, policy & guidelines relating to EPRR in healthcare Explore the health effects and impacts of a range of hazards Appreciate the link between socio-economic factors, health outcomes and how these can impact on the population Recognise the key features of international frameworks that govern EPRR Describe the structures involved in multi-agency EPRR and appreciate their roles Demonstrate an understanding of the identification, assessment, planning and mitigation process for managing risk |
| Intellectual skills | Critically review plans and critically analyse the response to emergencies Demonstrate the ability to apply emergency planning, preparedness, resilience and response approaches to a range of scenarios Apply approaches to emergency preparedness, resilience, and response to different scenarios, making sound judgments and communicating decisions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences |
| Practical skills | Work collaboratively through a range of EPRR scenarios – teamwork Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly to a range of audiences |
| Transferable skills and personal qualities | Apply the principles of evidence-based practice |
Syllabus
The syllabus for the Emergency Planning Response and Resilience (EPRR) unit includes:
- Introduction to EPRR and legislation and guidance
- Assessing risk
- Risk mitigation and planning
- Training and exercising
- Response
- Integrated emergency management/command and control
- Exploring the response, recovery phase and resilience
- Communication, warning and informing the public
- Debrief, report writing and lessons learned
- International frameworks relating to public health and EPRR
Teaching and learning methods
This is an optional course unit for students on the web-based learning programme. There will be written materials by the tutors guiding students through the course, illustrated with photographs and figures to illustrate the rich topic areas. Much of the content will be presented through reading, including peer reviewed journals (accessible through the University library), and multimedia, including videos. Students will be directed to a variety of relevant literature each week, but also encouraged to research and explore and find their own sources.
There will be regular interaction with the tutors through scheduled webinars (which will be recorded and made available) and through the online discussion boards. Students will be encouraged to use self-reflection to think about the ideas discussed and take part in discussion board activities. Students should work through the unit in a logical sequence. The individual course unit timetables will guide what should be done and when. Participation in the discussion boards is greatly encouraged and can help enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your assessment.
Familiarity with major incident planning is not a pre-requisite of the course but if students have knowledge or experience of this, they are encouraged to share this as basis for discussions if they wish to do so.
In line with guidance from the Office for Students and Quality Assurance Agency, the programme will be augmented by the Programme Director Seminar Series to deliver study skills, written English, academic writing, research skills, critical thinking and understanding arguments, careers and employability skills, revision/assessment/examination skills including time management.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- This module will require analytical skills to assess the risks involved in emergencies. Students will use evidence provided from case studies, in order to develop a critical view of resilience and capacity management
- Group/team working
- Students will work individually and in groups and contribute to group work in a discussion board.
- Project management
- Students will be able to demonstrate project management skills thorough identifying, assessing and planning the mitigation processes for managing risks and reacting to incidents.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 100% |
Feedback methods
Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their final summative assignment (3,000 words or equivalent) within 20 working days from submission.
Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will also be provided during a course unit.
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is available online through the University of Manchester library
Books
Ghebrehewet S, et al. Health Protection: Principles and Practice. Oxford University Press; 2016.
Sellwood, C., & Wapling, A. (Eds.). Health emergency preparedness and response. CABI;2016
Brian Dillon et al. Blackstone’s Emergency Planning, Crisis, and Disaster Management. Oxford University Press; 2014. 2nd edition.
Websites
UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA). Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available at:
World Health Organization (WHO). Available at:
UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Available at:
JESIP (Joint Doctrine: the interoperability framework) website. Available at:
Cabinet Office. Emergency response and Recovery. Guidance. Available at:
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| eAssessment | 30 |
| Supervised time in studio/wksp | 70 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 50 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Anjana Sahu | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
For further information, please watch this video from our Course Unit Leader.
If you have any questions about the content of this unit, please contact the course unit leader, Anjana Sahu, via email on anjana.sahu@manchester.ac.uk. If you have any other queries, please contact the PGT programme team via email at shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk.