'Front load' elective activity to the first six months of 1999 to allow for lower levels of planned activity in January 1999 and December 2000.

Set up triage centres staffed by nurses and GPs at key times in known trouble spots

Arrange 24-hour senior management cover on hospital sites and consider putting health authority senior staff on duty or on call during critical periods

Talk to employers of contracted-out staff to ensure they are committed to 'the provision of acceptable services throughout'.