Infectious-disease preparedness

Build a household illness protocol

• Keep an up-to-date medicine list, thermometer, basic hygiene supplies and current clinician contacts.
• Plan how a sick person could rest, ventilate a room and reduce close contact where practical.
• Know who can collect prescriptions, food or test supplies without entering the home.
• Protect routine care, disability support, school, work and income as far as possible.
• Keep masks that fit household members if current guidance recommends them for the hazard.

Information during an outbreak

• Use current UKHSA, NHS and devolved-nation public-health guidance.
• Record what changed and the date rather than pretending early advice is certain.
• Separate legal requirements, employer rules and general recommendations.
• Plan for misinformation, isolation, bereavement and a long recovery.

Medicines

Keep enough regular medication for several days through normal prescribing and collection arrangements. Do not change doses, stockpile prescription medicines or use expired medicines without professional advice.