10:06am Saturday 3rd October 2009
By Mark Stead
HEALTH workers in North Yorkshire are to be vaccinated against the growing threat of swine flu to ensure they stay fit to treat those struck down by the illness.
York Hospital is set to give staff working in key patient care sectors the jab as it tackles the gathering pace of the pandemic’s second wave.
In the past two weeks, six people have been admitted to the Wigginton Road site suffering from flu-like symptoms, with one such case in the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust area and five in the area covered by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.
A fortnightly swine flu update released by NHS North Yorkshire and York also reported that a fifth person from the Yorkshire and the Humber region was believed to have died from the virus during this period, although there has been no confirmation of where they were from.
“The numbers affected by flu-like illnesses in the York area are still small, but growing,” said Mike Proctor, York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s deputy chief executive.
“Although the impact of the virus on individuals continues to be mild, York Hospital is still planning on a ‘worst case’ scenario in order to be fully prepared to manage large numbers of patients who may need admitting to hospital, some of whom may be critically ill.
“The hospital is now preparing to vaccinate large numbers of front line to staff to ensure, as far as possible, our own staff are protected from the virus and are able to continue providing safe patient care.”
Dr Peter Brambleby, NHS North Yorkshire and York’s director of public health, said there had been a small spike in suspected cases since the new school year began.
“This increase is smaller than has been seen in other parts of the country, but was expected, and we anticipate further possible rises as winter draws on,” he said.
“We have already started to plan for the winter period in close liaison with hospitals, the ambulance service and social care. We are offering the seasonal and swine flu vaccine to all staff to help protect them and vulnerable patients.”
Anybody concerned they may have swine flu should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 100 or log on to www.direct.gov.uk/panedmicflu. Confirmed sufferers will be given an access number and information for their nearest antiviral collection point (ACP), 48 of which are currently operating in North Yorkshire.
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