HSJ Swine Flu Information Service
Swine flu news
Swine flu costs blamed for Improvement Foundation closure
The now defunct Improvement Foundation blamed its financial woes partly on pressures on primary care trusts to prepare for a second wave of swine flu, a letter seen by HSJ reveals.
Swine flu website to close
The website and hotline handling swine flu queries are to be switched off due to the fall in the number of cases.
Swine flu preparations cost £1bn
The government spent more than £1bn in preparation for a flu pandemic, it has been disclosed.
Chief medical officer supported over tough line on drink pricing
Introducing minimum pricing for alcohol should be the priority of chief medical officer for England Sir Liam Donaldson during his last months in post, say public health directors.
Four SHAs have swine flu jab deals in place
Four strategic health authorities have now agreed regional deals with GPs for delivering swine flu vaccine to the under fives.
Winter chill hits acute services hard
Elective surgery has been postponed, hospital wards closed, and patients moved to other hospitals for treatment, as freezing weather and virus outbreaks hit the NHS hard across the country.
East of England reaches deal on swine flu vaccine
NHS East of England has become the latest strategic health authority to agree a regional deal with its GPs for delivering swine flu vaccine to the under fives.
Review of 2009: a swine of a year for Mid Staffs, Rose Gibb and the public purse
It had it all: an inspiring comeback at Brent, a bruising scandal at Mid Staffordshire, a constitution, a pandemic, financial collapse, a war of words with some meddling Republicans and rather a lot of departures. Ah, 2009: Richard Vize is missing it already
Two SHAs secure swine flu jab deals
NHS North East and NHS London have reached regional deals with GPs to vaccinate children between six months and five years against swine flu. It comes after negotiators failed to reach a national deal.
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson resigns
Chief medical officer for England Sir Liam Donaldson is to step down in May after 12 years in the post.
PCTs left to vaccinate under fives against swine flu after GPs reject deal
Primary care trusts have been landed with responsibility for vaccinating all children aged between six months and five years against swine flu, after a deal could not be reached with GP leaders.
Trusts told to focus on ambulance handovers
The government has instructed strategic health authorities to ensure trusts focus on reducing ambulance to hospital handover waits as part of planning for winter pressures.
Swine flu virus may have infected a third of children
Experts say the swine flu virus may have hit thousands of children without them even knowing it - with as many as a third of school-age youngsters contracting it in parts of England.
Under-fives to receive swine flu jab
The NHS is to begin vaccinating healthy children under the age of five against swine flu, it has been confirmed.
Swine flu could lead to shortage of children's intensive care beds
The number of children suffering from swine flu and other respiratory infections this winter might cause a shortage of NHS intensive care beds.
Could a swine flu surge see a slump in targets?
A sustained outbreak of swine flu will put any region’s critical care services under pressure and a pandemic could have national consequences on workforce and resources. Will normal targets survive the winter unscathed? Alison Moore reports
Birmingham GPs offered bonuses for hitting swine flu targets
GPs in Birmingham - one of the areas worst affected by the H1N1 swine flu pandemic - will receive bonuses for meeting swine flu vaccination targets, reports claim.
'Small increase' in swine flu numbers
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has said latest figures show a ‘small increase’ in the number of new swine flu infections.
Sir Liam Donaldson warns of swine flu pressure
The government’s most senior medical adviser has warned that the swine flu pandemic is putting NHS hospitals under a “lot of pressure” in coping with the most seriously ill patients.
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Rise in swine flu cases
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Welsh hospitals prepare for swine flu
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Concern as swine flu cases double
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David Nicholson warns NHS of nightmare winter ahead
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Swine flu vaccination programme start date announced
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Swine flu: former nurses urged to re-register
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Swine flu vaccine trial begins
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Swine flu vaccine approved
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GPs ‘acting as debt counsellors’
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GPs win 'unbelievable' deal over swine flu vaccination
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NHS can double intensive care beds for swine flu peak
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Swine flu overtime hours must be put on record
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NHS 'not ready' for swine flu pandemic - Tories
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Swine flu vaccination programme extended to pharmacists
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Swine flu funding sought by Scotland and Wales
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NHS trusts slammed by DH over 'unacceptable' plans to export drugs
Swine Flu Timeline
Ian Dalton's swine flu update - standing down the national pandemic flu service
In his weekly update for HSJ and Nursing Times, national director for NHS flu resilience Ian Dalton discusses the latest developments in UK swine flu preparations
Online Resources
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Health and social care workers and pandemic influenza: information for staff who are pregnant or in other at-risk groups
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Pandemic influenza: additional measures to meet workforce supply
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Rotation of doctors in training during pandemic influenza
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Pandemic flu: planning and responding to primary care capacity challenges
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Pandemic influenza: guidance for infection control in hospitals and primary care settings
More on swine flu
Planning for winter influenza - assessing the potential impact on HCAIs
Have you planned for early discharge during the winter influenza season? Does your winter preparedness plan include provision for MRSA patients?
