Rapid Adaptation Resources

This website provides practical resources to prepare and support healthcare services in rapidly adapting and maintaining continuity of care during times of crisis, especially public health emergencies caused by biological threats such as the COVID-19 virus, Influenza, Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

It features a menu of evidence-based recommendations, organised into five key implementation phases, mapped to three stages of response: prior to, during, and after an emergency, with clearly defined agents responsible for implementation. These offer a step-by-step guide to help healthcare policy makers and providers prepare, implement, and sustain service delivery across different care settings.

The Rapid Adaptation Recommendation was developed using an implementation framework informed by evidence from public health emergencies and evidence from physiotherapy services for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in primary care and emergency department settings, commonly referred to as First Contact Physiotherapy Services (FCPS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These insights also informed recommendations specific to FCPS.

The recommendations further draws on findings from a review examining barriers and facilitators to rapid adaptation across 14 different healthcare services during public health emergencies 🔗 , and the World Health Organisation interim rapid adaptation operational guide 🔗, offering valuable insights and transferable lessons relevant to other healthcare sectors operating in similar contexts.

The goal is to provide healthcare organisations and policymakers with the tools and guidance needed to prepare, adapt effectively, ensure service continuity, and strengthen system resilience during challenging situations. It also serves as a hub for evidence on rapid adaptation.

This website will be regularly updated as new evidence emerges and becomes available.