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Please visit http://www.eoe.nhs.uk/news.php for the latest, breaking news on swine flu in the East of England.

The NHS in the east of England is changing its response to swine flu (published Thursday, July 2)

The way in which the NHS in the east of England is responding to swine flu has changed, following an announcement by Health Secretary, Andy Burnham.

This new approach means only treating confirmed cases of swine flu. Until now close contacts of laboratory confirmed cases have received anti-virals as a precautionary measure, but this will now cease. Growing numbers of swine flu in the community means contact-tracing and treatment is no longer effective to stop the spread of the illness.

GPs will now provide clinical diagnosis of swine flu cases, rather than awaiting laboratory test results, and will arrange for patients to receive anti-viral drugs.

Dr Paul Cosford, Regional Director of Public Health said: “The reason for the change in approach is because we have moved past the stage where swabbing patients and tracing contacts is practical or effective.

“The swine flu virus is spreading in communities and will continue to spread, we have seen the emergence of a number of clusters over the last couple of weeks; and so the NHS has moved to a treatment only phase, i.e. only treating those who are ill.

"Flu is a mild illness for the majority of people. But for a minority, it can become more serious so we are being cautious and providing anti-viral drugs to all. The advice to members of the public who have flu-like symptom is; go online and check their symptoms on www.nhs.uk, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.

“Anyone who is still concerned should contact their GP, who can provide a diagnosis over the phone and arrange treatment. Please do not turn up at your GP surgery or A&E unless you have been advised to do so.”

There are simples steps everyone can take that can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. These are:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible;
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• Making sure your children follow this advice.

All patients will be treated but there will be priority access (within 24hrs) for those at higher risk - including those with chronic lung, kidney or heart disease, under fives, over 65s and pregnant women - will get access within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

When a swine flu case is confirmed, an authorisation voucher will be issued and a ‘flu friend’ can take it to an anti-viral collection point to pick up the anti-viral drugs. People should not go to A&E if they suspect they have swine flu.

NHS Primary Care Trusts throughout the region will set up anti-viral collection points, which may be a pharmacy or a community centre.

Bedfordshire is well prepared. That is the reassuring message from NHS Bedfordshire in light of the World Health Organisation (WHO) raising its pandemic flu alert from level from 5 to 6.

Over the last five years Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and NHS Bedfordshire, in partnership with the NHS East of England and members of the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum, have been developing robust plans to ensure we are fully prepared in the event of an influenza outbreak.

More information on flu planning in Bedfordshire can be found on the NHS Bedfordshire website and the BLLRF website.

Please do not turn up at your local GP surgery, walk-in centre or local hospital if you have these symptoms, as this could spread the virus further.

If you need to contact GP services out of hours, please out of hours services please visit the NHS Bedfordshire website for further information.

Good hygiene practices, such as sneezing or coughing into a tissue, disposing of it in a bin and washing hands with soap and water to kill any germs, will help to prevent all flu viruses from spreading.

Should you develop symptoms you should also follow standard respiratory and hand hygiene and ensure that:

• You avoid contact with other people as much as possible
• Maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
• Clean hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• Make sure your children follow this advice

The Health Protection Agency has prepared further useful information on swine flu as well as advice for people returning from countries affected by the outbreak.

For the latest travel information, visit the FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk

Do you have a question?

The Health Protection Agency has developed a series of question and answers which can be viewed by clicking here.

For further information

Visit the websites below for further information on the swine flu outbreak.

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• NHS Direct
• NHS Choices