Health Service coping well with swine flu pandemic - McGimpsey

People in Northern Ireland should continue to contact their GP or ring the Swine Flu Helpline if they are concerned about swine flu.

This follows an announcement today that the National Pandemic Flu Service will be activated in England next Thursday.

The Minister said: “It is clear that the current swine flu pandemic has resulted in varying levels of pressure on health services across the UK. In Northern Ireland, this has been a busier than normal period for our GPs especially considering that we are still in the summer months, however, our GPs and pharmacists are responding extremely well.

“Given the current numbers of 'flu consultations in Northern Ireland we feel the current arrangements remain the bestway to get treatment to all those who need it as quickly as possible. We will of course keep this situation under review with the option to make use of the National Flu Line Service if the need arises locally.”

A planning assumptions paper for the first wave of the swine flu pandemic has also been published following the 18^th meeting of the Ministerial Cabinet Office (COBR) group.  The paper is intended to help in local planning across all public and private sector organisations across the UK.

The Minister continued: “These assumptions are not a prediction but represent a ‘reasonable worst case’ scenario for planning purposes.  The original pandemic plan suggested that a single wave could infect up to half the population.  Government scientists have developed a number of further possible scenarios in relation to issues such as ‘clinical attack’ rates, absence and hospitalisation rates.

“They should help ensure that pandemic plans are robust and that the Health and Social Care Service, the wider public sector and businesses can plan correctly to deal with every possible outcome.  The assumptions will be kept under review as more data become available.  

“We cannot be sure how the current pandemic will develop so it is essential that we prepare for the worst and hope that it does not happen.  The UK is one of the best prepared countries in the world for this pandemic.”

The Minister said that vaccines are still expected to arrive in August with a vaccination programme starting in September.

“Vaccines will be delivered on a phased basis and prioritisation of the vaccine will be necessary. This issue is currently being looked at and will be informed by scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the Scientific Advisory Group in Emergencies.

“To date, the majority of cases of swine flu have been mild, although some cases have been more severe.  It is important that the public plays their part in reducing the spread of this virus.  If you suspect you have swine flu stay at home and contact your GP or out-of-hours service.

“Simple but effective hygiene measures such as frequent hand-washing can also help.  Remember to cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, the put the tissue into a bin – catch it, bin it, kill it!”

Further advice and information is available by contacting the Northern Ireland Swine Flu Information line 0800 0514 142 which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or the UK Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Swine Flu-specific Planning Assumptions for the UK have now been released on the Cabinet Office UK Resilience website or via a direct link to the PDF
2. The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline number 0800 0514 142 is a freephone helpline for those who want more information about swine flu.
3. The UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 provides regularly updated advice on swine flu. This is also a freephone number.
4. Further information about swine flu can be found on the DHSSPS website and nidirect

Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440