Adult social care providers in Bognor Regis and across West Sussex have been issued with updated protocols for reporting respiratory outbreaks ahead of the winter season. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) refreshed its guidance on 11 September 2026, streamlining how local care homes and services notify authorities of infections including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
The updated service is specifically available to providers in the South East region. It is designed to ensure that the Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Team can monitor and respond to rising infection rates in vulnerable settings effectively.
Defining a Respiratory Outbreak
Under the current UKHSA criteria, an outbreak of an acute respiratory infection (ARI) is defined as two or more people in a setting — either residents or staff — who develop symptoms within five days of each other. These symptoms typically include a cough, fever, or shortness of breath.
Care managers are advised that they must also report any single confirmed case of influenza within their facility, even if it has not yet led to a wider outbreak. Official guidance stresses that providers should not wait for laboratory test results before notifying authorities if an outbreak is suspected. Early notification is considered critical for implementing infection control measures and protecting residents.
How to Report in West Sussex
For providers in the South East, including those in the Bognor News coverage area, the primary route for reporting is now an online portal. To use this service, care managers will require their Care Quality Commission (CQC) location ID and the postcode of the setting. This digital system replaces older reporting tools and is intended to speed up the flow of information to health officials.
While the online service is the standard route for routine reports, some situations may require direct contact with health experts. The Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Team remains the point of contact for West Sussex providers needing additional support or dealing with complex cases. They can be reached on 0344 225 3861.
Further local resources and infection prevention and control (IPC) advice are maintained through the West Sussex Care Provider Zone, which offers specific guidance for the county’s social care workforce.
Mandatory Reporting Requirements
The UKHSA specifies that the reporting requirements apply to various adult social care environments, including residential care homes, nursing homes, and extra care housing. Reporting is essential for:
- Outbreaks of COVID-19, flu, or RSV (two or more linked cases).
- A single confirmed case of influenza.
- Situations where there is a high number of affected individuals or severe illness requiring hospitalisation.
By using the online reporting tool, providers ensure that data is fed directly into regional surveillance systems, allowing for a faster response if local intervention or additional PPE supplies are required during the winter months.
