Management issues surrounding the United Kingdom health services' ability to deal effectively with major incidents involving bioterrorism.
OBJECTIVE
This paper aims to explore the management structures and issues surrounding the United Kingdom (UK) health services' preparedness and ability to effectively deal with major incidents involving bioterrorism.


BACKGROUND
Recent reports and expert opinion have suggested that the health service response to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction are insufficient and ill-prepared.


RESULTS
Lack of clear guidance and parity across the UK, poor targeting of information, inadequate and insufficient equipment, under-resourcing, and unsatisfactory training are key factors that contribute to a worrying state of frontline unpreparedness.


CONCLUSIONS
Health service managers need to capitalize on the Government's current concern about the threat of a bioterrorist attack and ensure that their departments are sufficiently equipped, and that their personnel are adequately educated and trained, to deal with any such incident. Better guidance needs to be produced and distributed to front line healthcare workers.
Hayward
Michael
M
Acute Medicine, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, UK. mrmrhayward@ntlworld.com
D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning; D006113:United Kingdom