Two councils [Belfast and Newry & Mourne].. have worst-case scenario plans for almost 12,000 graves should swine flu turn into a serious flu pandemic, it has been confirmed...
[A similar survey in 2007] ..found that district councils were ready to create some 20,000 graves across the Province in a worst-case scenario for a flu pandemic..
"All the planning in the interests of public hygiene has to take account of a worst-case scenario," said [Stella Cunningham, chief executive of health watchdog, the Southern Health and Social Services Council (SHSSC)].
..Asked about preparations for flu pandemic graves yesterday, a spokesman for Belfast City Council said that since 2007 it has "secured additional land at Roselawn Cemetery to accommodate up to 4,200 grave spaces, which could be used in the event of a pandemic".
"We also have plans in place to manage any potential staff absence to ensure service continuity with regard to burials and cremations," he said.
The 4,200 spaces is 200 more than the council's director of the community and recreation committee said were needed for a flu pandemic in 2007.
Newry and Mourne District Council said yesterday that its "emergency planning for graves" remained unchanged since 2007, with 7,500 places accounted for in three cemeteries and adjoining fields. They have 3,650 places in Monkshill in Newry, 2,300 in Warrenpoint and 1,600 in Rostrevor.
Lisburn City Council said that it has contributed to emergency planning conducted by the Pandemic Mass Fatalities Working Group under the Department of Health...
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Originally Posted by selfemployedmar
