[I just posted this to CILIP's 'Library and Information Update' blog:
http://communities.cilip.org.uk/blogs/update/archive/2009/07/17/librarians-will-run-tamiflu-centres.aspx
]
Channel 4 News last night reported that "librarians will run tamiflu
centres", as part of its lead news item – though gave no further details.
I don't know what the national picture is, though do know that Warwickshire,
for instance, has agreed to libraries acting as distribution centre for Tamiflu.
"Five Warwickshire libraries will act as collection points for anti-viral
medicines if cases of swine flu become widespread in the county'.
"The contingency plan has been agreed between NHS Warwickshire and the
County Council’s Adult, Health & Community Services directorate."
"If swine flu reached pandemic proportions in Warwickshire ‘flu friends’
would be able to collect medicines for sufferers from local libraries, using
a ‘unique reference number’ issued to individual patients, by telephone or
online, by the National Flu Helpline".
Chief Librarian (and CILIP Councillor) Ayub Khan said: “The Library &
Information Service is ready to help out, if it becomes necessary. Though we
hope the health emergency never happens, the county contingency plan clearly
recognises our place at the centre of local communities. It also
demonstrates to the Council that libraries have a key role to play during
times like this, as they are ideal places in local communities."
Are there similar contingency plans involving libraries around the whole UK?
**Please get in touch with Update if you have further information about
libraries running Tamiflu centres**
Matthew Mezey
(New Editor, Library and Information Update)
[log in to unmask]
020 7255 0584
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