Burnham launches swine flu service

Thursday, 23 July 2009 12:00 AM

By Alex Stevenson

Andy Burnham has launched the National Pandemic Flu Service, following news the weekly number of swine flu cases has doubled.

In the last week the Health Protection Agency (HPA) estimates 100,000 new cases of swine flu were reported.

But the total number of deaths remains at 26, two-thirds of which were among those with severe underlying health issues.

The National Pandemic Flu Service provides internet and telephone assessment of symptoms. Operators will use a medically-proscribed algorithm to establish whether antivirals like tamiflu should be prescribed.

GPs will remain open but the government hopes only those who have severe underlying health problems or are pregnant, have suffering infants under 12 months or have a deteriorating condition will get in touch.

"The National Pandemic Flu Service will give patients access to information and antivirals as quickly as possible," health secretary Andy Burnham said.

"It will free up GPs so they can focus their efforts on helping those in at risk groups and patients with other illnesses."

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson told journalists that, after they stopped writing about Michael Jackson, renewed media attention on swine flu had contributed to the increased number of consultations.

He was on the defensive over the acquisition of large-scale vaccines, pressing that large stocks of antivirals had bought some time.

"We will be one of the first countries to get it and we have closed the gap on [lag] time for vaccine manufacture," Sir Liam said.

The current rate of consultations per 100,000 has not yet hit 200, the official epidemic level. But it has increased in the last week from 73.4 to 155. Sir Liam said the national average could have been diluted by some of the lower regional areas.

The government continues to play down popular fears about swine flu. The number of cases remains significantly less than was the case in the 1968/9 pandemic.

Sir Liam denied the suggestion the National Pandemic Flu Service was excessive given the small numbers compared to that pandemic. He said of the 1960s: "Probably some patients died who today wouldn't do."

Mr Burnham repeated government calls on those with swine flu to remain calm.

He added: "For the vast majority of people, swine flu has been mild. Some people find that they get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over the counter flu medication."

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