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DH announcement on Swine Flu pandemic
The next steps in the response to the (H1N1) Swine Influenza pandemic have been announced by the Department of Health (DH).
Communications have been issued by DH to GPs, pharmacists, and social care announcing the continuing promotion of the vaccination programme for priority groups (at-risk and under 5s) and the standing down of the National Pandemic Flu Service (both internet and telephone systems) from 1am on Thursday 11th February 2010.
The main points include:
- Patients will now have to access antivirals through their GP/authorised healthcare professional
- The supply of antivirals will continue to be made from ACPs using the current system of vouchers and RHS of FP10s.
- The supply of antivirals continues to be free of charge and from the government/PCT stockpiled stock
- ACPs will continue to operate until the end of the seasonal flu season, i.e. end March 2010. However PCTs are responsible for the delivery of the service and may chose to close certain ACPs as demand falls whilst maintaining a network for supply (as seen between the first and second phase)
- The stock management systems (SMS) will remain in place and continue to be used.
- The vaccination programme will continue and GPs are encouraged to contact their eligible priority patients - at risk and under 5’s. There has been no announcement about the general public vaccination programme.
- Boards of NHS organisations are expected to review vaccination uptake data and assure themselves that their healthcare worker vaccination programmes have met appropriate performance standards compared to other NHS organisations.
The CPhO letter will be issued to all pharmacists in all sectors. Further details are available in the letter issued to PCTs and SHAs by the National Director of Flu Resilience, Ian Dalton.
Commenting on these next steps, PSNC's Head of Pharmacy Practice Barbara Parsons said:
“PSNC welcomes these changes. It is reassuring to see that the imminent threat presented by H1N1 is diminishing, and that the coordinated efforts of NHS providers have had a clear effect.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to recognise the commendable work of community pharmacists in responding to pandemic flu. Throughout the worst months of the crisis, pharmacies provided vital antiviral distribution services, acting as many people’s first port-of-call for medicines, support and advice, and some have assisted in the vaccination programme. Pharmacists’ efforts in this period have reflected their position as trusted healthcare professionals at the heart of the communities they serve.
“As the CPhO and the National Director of Flu Resilience have made clear, there is still work to be done in distributing antivirals and continuing vaccinations. Pharmacists have a key role to play in clinical and operational stand-down arrangements and will remain on the frontline against the threat of the H1N1 virus until the pandemic is declared over.”
Further information can be found on the DH website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/DH_4015576
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Posted 27 January 2010