Swine Flu Updates from the DH
With exclusive weekly briefings from NHS flu resilience director Ian Dalton
DH Swine Flu Archive
Swine flu vaccine bill cost department £239m
The government spent £239m on the swine flu vaccine, official figures reveal.
Rise in intensive care beds occupied by flu patients
The number of flu cases being treated in critical care beds has increased by 66 per cent in the last week, according to figures released by the Department of Health.
Swine flu: updated guidance for mental health services
This is updated guidance for Mental Health services and partners on planning and responding to the Swine Flu H1N1 pandemic.
Six things NHS organisations can do to prepare for the swine flu vaccination programme
The Social Partnership Forum has identified the top six things that NHS organisations can do now in preparation for the impending vaccine administration.
Antiviral prophylaxis: guidance on the use of prophylaxis with antiviral medicines during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic
This guidance sets out the circumstances in which it may be appropriate to offer a course of prophylactic antiviral medicine to patients with a serious underlying medical condition or who are pregnant during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic.
Six things NHS organisations can do to prepare for the swine flu vaccination programme
The Social Partnership Forum has identified the top six things that NHS organisations can do now in preparation for the impending vaccine administration.
Guidance on sickness certification in response to the swine flu pandemic
This document clarifies that the existing arrangements for provision of medical certificates or self-certification have not changed in light of the swine flu pandemic.
Guidance on sickness certification in response to the swine flu pandemic
This document clarifies that the existing arrangements for provision of medical certificates or self-certification have not changed in light of the swine flu pandemic.
Authorisation of antiviral medicines - Guidance on the use of FP10SS forms and Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic in England
This is a new guidance document on the use of Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers.
Managing influenza-like illness in nursing and residential homes during the current influenza pandemic
The latest guidance from the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency, covering management of influenza-like illness in nursing and residential homes
Swine flu: UK planning assumptions
These planning assumptions relate to the current A(H1N1) epidemic and are appropriate for the first wave. They provide a common agreed basis for planning across all public and private sector organisations. Working to this common set of assumptions will avoid confusion and facilitate preparedness across the UK.
Fast-tracked research to fight swine flu - DH press release
Fourteen projects costing £2.25m have been fast tracked by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the Department of Health for urgent national swine flu research. The priority studies will be launched this week and will provide vital clinical and scientific evidence that will inform the Government’s response to the virus in the coming months.
Swine Flu: Authorisation of the supply of antivirals
Ian Dalton, National Director for NHS Flu Resilience, has today written out jointly with the Royal College of GPs and the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee to all GPs to confirm the revised procedure for authorising the supply of antivirals from antiviral collection points.
Advice concerning organ donation and H1N1
As the incidence of Swine Flu increases in the population, there is a risk that organ donors may be infected, or have infection suspected. In general, organs from potential donors should be offered. The decision to accept and use an organ for transplantation lies with the implanting surgeon with local microbiological advice (in conjunction with informed consent from the recipient).
20 August 2009 swine flu update
This week there has been a further reduction in the rates of flu-like illness and related activity.
Exercise Cold Play II
Exercise Cold Play II is a Department of Health (DH) funded exercise designed as an ‘off the shelf’ package for use by health organisations and partner organisations within the UK. It has been developed from experience gained in previous pandemic influenza exercises and is intended to provide a generic format which can be adapted to suit the selected target audience. This exercise has been updated from the original Cold Play to ensure it is in-line with the Department of Health Pandemic ...
Swine flu: letter to Directors of Adult Social Services
There are some key actions that Directors of Adult Social Services needs to be taking now:1. Continue to raise awareness amongst your staff of the most up-to-date advice and guidance, available on the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.2. Keep in close contact with your Director of Children’s Services on local arrangements
Swine flu: letter to Social Care Reference Group
I will be concentrating my efforts on supporting social care by working to: Build capacity and resilience across all sectors; Ensure we are working closely with health colleagues nationally, regionally and locally to increase readiness; Ensure leadership and direction is given to all those involved in the management and delivery of social care during the pandemic; Make sure that adult and children’s services are working together
A (H1N1) Swine Influenza: Launch of the National Pandemic Flu Service
From today, people in England will be able to access swine flu advice and treatment through the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS).
A (H1N1) Swine Influenza: Standing up the National Pandemic Flu Service
In recognition of the increasing levels of flu consultations with GPs and the need to be able to give antivirals to increasing numbers of people quickly, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham has today agreed to stand up the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS).
Swine flu: from containment to treatment - scientific issues
The antiviral strategy aims to provide prompt treatment for all those with symptoms of A(H1N1) (pandemic swine flu) infection. As well as minimising symptoms and shortening the period for which people are ill, the strategy aims to minimise the risks of people developing complications or dying from A(H1N1) infection.
Swine flu pandemic: from containment to treatment - guidance for the NHS
This guidance seeks to:provide the NHS with a clear explanation of the rationale for the decision taken on 2nd July 2009 by Health Ministers across the UK to move from containment to treatment nationally;set out clearly the Department of Health’s expectations of the NHS and the roles and responsibilities of each part of the system over the coming months; andexplain the support being made available to the NHS and frontline staff to ensure the Service is ...
Changed approach to managing the swine flu pandemic
Ministers across the UK have agreed that it is time to move from containment into the treatment phase.
Swine flu: from containment to treatment
As Swine Flu spreads and more people start to catch it, it makes sense to move from intensive efforts to contain the virus to focusing efforts on treating the increasing number of people who have the disease.
Important information about swine flu
This leaflet contains important information to help you and your family - KEEP IT SAFE
Ian Dalton's Briefing
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
Pandemic Flu Information
'Can Public Health England improve the way we respond to pandemics?'
The Department of Health’s intention for Public Health England to strengthen the national response to public health crises alongside local bodies may not work in practice unless experiences of previous pandemics are learned from, write Drs Jacky Chambers and Andrew Rouse.
Why behaviour change marketing can still deliver long-term cost savings
The spending freeze on public sector communications amd marketing spending, in place since 2010, has seen fewer public awareness campaigns receive government funding. But this could be counter-productive, argues Mark Blayney Stuart, when evidence suggests there are clear financial benefits to be had.
DH issues warning over use of flu vaccine in children
Directors of public health have been advised that the influenza vaccine Viroflu should not be used in children under five years old due to an increased risk of fever.
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DH stockpiles 400,000 doses of flu jab
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Nurses least likely to get flu vaccine
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Flu pandemic could cost UK nearly £50bn
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Trust in public health advice could be compromised by reforms
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Lansley reassures over flu rise
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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
