According to the British Standards Institution, 87 percent of businesses believe that risk management protects revenue and enhances value for money;  93 percent agreed that it improves accountability, decision making, transparency and visibility.

The Department of Health, in its June 2008  Interim Strategic National Guidance for NHS organisations, says that:

“Our patients, and the local communities that we serve, expect the NHS to be there for them when they need it, no matter what the circumstances.

During the summer of 2007, extreme weather conditions led to some dramatic flooding across parts of England over a very short period of time – and demand for health services surged.  During that time, NHS staff stepped up to the mark and provided the care that people needed, when they needed it.

On that occasion, it was about flooding, but there are any number of circumstances - from dealing with an outbreak of pandemic flu right through to a terrorist attack - that require the NHS to act quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency.”.

David Nicholson, the NHS Chief Executive, went on to say: “

Our success in dealing with such events depends not only on the passion and commitment of NHS staff at every level, but, importantly, on detailed comprehensive planning - that is why emergency planning is one of just five national priorities set out in this year’s Operating Framework.

This new guidance, and the work of the NHS Resilience Project, will help to guide and inform that planning, and help the NHS to continue to ensure it can be there for patients when they need it, no matter what”. the circumstances”.

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