NewsThere is a chance the spread of the virus could slow during the summer holidays, peaking in October after children go back to school, it says.Sir Liam said the aim of the new flu service was to alleviate pressure on hospitals and GP services, enabling them to look after the “most seriously ill”. The Government was trusting the public not to abuse the service.
People will be given a diagnosis over the telephone or can get one by following an internet questionnaire. A “flu friend” can then obtain the antiviral drug from one of the depots around the country using the reference number given. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have not yet set up such a service but could do so if the pressure on their health services continues to rise.
The Health Protection Agency said that its estimate of 55,000 new cases of swine flu in England in the past week includes people visiting GPs and those who are looking after themselves at home. Up to 85,000 people could be currently affected.
Sir Liam said the first vaccine deliveries next month would not be enough for everybody at high risk but sufficient would be available as winter approached.
Andy Burnham, Health Secretary, said: “The flu service will be able to quickly diagnose people with swine flu and give them the opportunity to get antivirals from local centres, meaning in turn that GPs’ time will be freed up enabling them to deal with other illnesses. I want the public to be reassured that we have been preparing for the possibility of a pandemic for a number of years and all that pre-planning is now paying dividends.”
There have been ten deaths so far in London. All had serious underlying conditions. In a bad seasonal flu year, there can be as many as 20,000 extra deaths in the winter linked with influenza.
The Department of Health defended its preparations for a pandemic amid accusations by some health personnel that it was providing conflicting advice to both doctors and patients. A health trust memo passed to The Times had said that guidance was “muddled and contradictory”.
Source, London Times, July 16, 2009.
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Calendar of EventsEveryone knows that when the Dems cannot win on the issues or fulfill their outrageous promises, they always resort to smear and gossip. That will not reduce the high cost of living or put food on anyone’s table. It will not put money in the pockets of those who are now under severe economic pressure? Gossip will not make the burden lighter when people who visit the supermarket – reach the cashier?
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