Government names swine flu 'tsar'
The government has appointed a swine flu "tsar" for England to deal with
the threat of a pandemic.
Ian Dalton, currently chief executive of NHS North East, will become
national director for NHS Flu Resilience.
He will ensure that the NHS "is in the best possible position to protect
the population," the health secretary said.
The appointment came as the number of UK cases of the H1N1 virus reached
28 and information leaflets about the disease began dropping through
doors.
Mr Dalton, who will take up the post immediately, will coordinate the
supply of anti-viral medication and the implementation of any future
vaccination programme.
He said: "The NHS is well-placed to deal with such an eventuality and I
am looking forward to working with colleagues throughout England to
ensure the NHS continues to respond appropriately to any developing
situation."
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said Mr Dalton would "support the vital
operational side of our plans" for a major flu outbreak.
"We have been preparing for the possibility of a pandemic for a number
of years and the World Health Organisation says we are among the most
prepared countries in the world," he added.
School closures
On Tuesday, England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson warned
that it was too early to assume the swine flu outbreak was a mild
infection just because no-one in the UK had died.
"We must not be complacent. We know that flu viruses can change their
character very rapidly as they move through populations,
Sir Liam spoke after the latest case of swine flu, an adult from the
Slough area of Berkshire, was confirmed.
SWINE FLU ADVICE
# Use clean tissues when you cough or sneeze
# Bin tissues after use
# Wash hands with soap, hot water or gel
It brought the overall totals to 24 in England and four in Scotland.
Five UK schools remain closed after being hit by the virus. Three are in
London - Alleyn's School in Dulwich, Dolphin School in Battersea and
South Hampstead High School.
Downend in South Gloucestershire and Paignton Community and Sports
College in Devon have also shut their doors.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families
confirmed that officials were working with schools and exam boards to
put contingency plans in place for the summer exam season.
"Arrangements will be made on a case by case basis, so that all students
are fairly treated," she said.
Exam regulator Ofqual is due to hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss
plans, which could mean pupils sitting exams elsewhere, or receiving
final grades based on other evidence, such as coursework or modules
already completed.
Members of the public can call 0800 1513513 for recorded information
about swine flu. The number for NHS 24 in Scotland is 08454 24 24 24.
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Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.
Published: 2009/05/06 03:41:41 GMT
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
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