The NHS has been forced to adopt unprecedented measures to deal with the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, with health workers advised to avoid visiting farms, and those who do told to wear overshoes, disinfect their cars and park at farm entrances - unless it is a matter of life and death.
Working closely with the National Farmers Union, North West regional office produced packs containing guidelines and information for both staff and farmers, and the region's public health observatory cleared its website pages to provide foot and mouth information.
A special freephone helpline has been set up by North East Wales trust to offer emotional support and advice to farmers and their families throughout Wales.
Northern Devon Healthcare trust has prepared contingency plans on how to cope if staff living on farms are unable to leave home.
'We are trying to assess how many frontline staff we have living on farms, ' said Nula Ring, director of personnel. 'We have got hospital accommodation if somebody finds they can't get home because their farm has been sealed off. '
Air ambulances must not fly lower than 1,500ft or within two nautical miles of infected farms because the rotation of the helicopter blades could spread the virus.
Brian Fanthom, head of special operations for the Midlands air ambulance, said: 'We tend to land on farmland, so with any landing like that we are decontaminating the helicopter afterwards, whether or not there is a hazard. It is just a precautionary measure. '
No comments yet