Home > About Us

Pandemic Swine Flu Information Page

From Dr Kathryn Edwards - Flu Lead for Somerset LMC

May 2nd

There are still no confirmed cases in Somerset.

Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, we recommend that practices amend their answerphone message to include the following information:

'Patients who are worried that they have symptoms of swine flu, especially if they have recently been in an affected area are advised to contact NHS direct on 0845 46 47, or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk'

All suspected cases should be discussed with the HPU before taking swabs. The HPU and microbiology labs have limited supplies of swabs until additional swabs are delivered. If swabs are needed, a supply will be delivered to you along with masks. Please do not take viral swabs from patients who do not meet the latest algorithm criteria, as they will not be tested.

Our recommendation is that asymptomatic people who have recently returned from an affected area, or have been in contact with a suspected case, can continue to work.

The national Flu Information Line, which has a series of pre-recorded information, is now up and running (0800 1 513 513). Patients who call NHS direct can now be directly transferred to this line (see NHS direct briefing document).

A swine flu information leaflet has been published and will be delivered through people's front doors from Tuesday onwards. However, copies of the leaflet are already available on the following websites:

As a reminder, the HPU out of hours phone no. is 01823 333444.

From Dr Harry Yoxall - LMC Medical Secretary

It now seems likely that swine flu will continue to spread and the NHS is gearing up to cope with this. The LMC believes that the South West Region, and Somerset in particular, are as well prepared for this as we can be.

We have asked the PCT to co-ordinate the dissemination of information to practices into as few emails as possible, with all the relevant attachments kept together. We will try to include any updates from the LMC or GPC into that bulletin.

The protocol for dealing with potential cases remains substantially as on the algorithm circulated by the HPU on May 1st, but please note that this may be updated, so practices will need to ensure that only the latest copy is in use, available on the HPA website http://www.hpa.org.uk.

If you have a high index of suspicion about a possible case please contact the HPU for advice; for the moment masks, gloves and aprons are advised when taking swabs from suspected cases and you should be using your own stock for this. If you find yourself needing to take swabs and do not have PPE available, you may be able to collect this from the PCT after discussion with the HPU ( 01823 287817 or via MPH 01823 333444 if out of hours). If, after discussion with HPU, antiviral treatment is indicated, this will have to be sourced at the time as there is very little stock currently available in the local retail supply chain.

For clarification, two virology specimens are now required. Use each swab to sample first throat and then nose, so four sites are tested with two swabs. Do not take samples without HPU agreement

If the threat level reaches the trigger point ,then the PCT can release supplies of masks and some other equipment to practices, and the centralised supply of antivirals may be authorised by the Government.

For the time being the LMC advises no changes to your normal clinical and organisational arrangements, but we do suggest you review your flu plans and make sure staff are aware of them as the situation may change quite rapidly.