York Hospital postpones procedures after admitting six "swine flu" patients (From York Press)

York Hospital postpones procedures after admitting six "swine flu" patients

3:22pm Tuesday 21st July 2009 in Swine flu By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

YORK Hospital has had to postpone a small number of procedures, following the admission of half a dozen patients suspected of suffering from swine flu.

A spokeswoman revealed six patients with swine flu symptoms were being treated in isolation.

She said all six had other underlying health conditions, and none of them had been confirmed as having the illness.

“We have had to postpone a very small number of non-urgent procedures, but these are being rearranged,” she said.

The news comes as a York employment lawyer warned that employers may face legal action under health and safety legislation and lawsuits of tens of thousands of pounds if they fail to protect staff adequately from swine flu and breach their duty of care.

Tom Watkins, of Dickinson Dees, said employers should take necessary precautions well in advance to protect themselves and their businesses from workplace disruption and the worry of lawsuits which could occur as a result.

He said any uncertainty over the actions employers or employees should take in the event of a swine flu case should be removed to prevent accidental mishandling of the situation.

He said: “Employees need to know well in advance who they should contact if they even think they have caught it, how long they should stay away from work and what to do if their case is confirmed.”