...and a rider query to public health...
I believe that as the prevalance continues to increase it is almost
inevitable that all GPs will sooner or later be swabbing or attending a
patient with confirmed H1N1 infection. They will therefore be bona fide
"contacts" themselves and be eligible for antivirals.
Is it PCTs current position that such GPs are to take time from work and
attend their own GP? Am I right in the understanding that the sooner
antivirals are started after exposure the more effective they are? If so
what is the current time delay in aquiring antivals for contacts?
Given that suspected contacts of the virus are currently recommended not to
pick up antivirals themselves but to send a "flu buddy" i.e. to limit their
exposure to contacts, what is the public health's recommendation to GPs who
are confirmed as contacts. Are they to continue to work seeing patients?
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Saul Galloway [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 23 June 2009 08:52
> To: 'GP-UK'
> Subject: H1N1 2009
>
> Dear,
>
> Can you please give me a firm reference for your assertion
> that the PCT is unable to access antivirals even if it should
> wish to do so. I would be particularly interested to know if
> the PCT has asked if it can obtain a supply.
>
> I would also be grateful for sight of the PCTs risk
> assessment for those contractors it is asking to undertake
> swabbing and provide medical care for patients suspected of
> having swine flu.
>
> Yours
>
> Saul Galloway
>
>
> >
> > Apologies for late reply I have been away from work. I
> understand and
> > sympathise with the point you make regarding the risk that
> GPs on the
> > frontline are being asked to undertake during this
> containment phase
> > of the swine flu pandemic. Unfortunately it is not a
> decision the PCT
> > can take as this is a nationally managed DH outbreak. The
> PCT is not
> > in a position to say who can have access to antivirals,
> only the HPA
> > are able to give permission for antivirals to be allocated to
> > individuals. You may wish to ask the RCGPs to take this up on your
> > behalf.
> >
********************************************************************************************************************
This message may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient please inform the
sender that you have received the message in error before deleting it.
Please do not disclose, copy or distribute information in this e-mail or take any action in reliance on its contents:
to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.
Thank you for your co-operation.
NHSmail is the secure email and directory service available for all NHS staff in England and Scotland
NHSmail is approved for exchanging patient data and other sensitive information with NHSmail and GSI recipients
NHSmail provides an email address for your career in the NHS and can be accessed anywhere
For more information and to find out how you can switch, visit www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/nhsmail
********************************************************************************************************************
|