Swine Flu Update

This update aims to signpost NCPC's subscribers in the right direction to find appropriate information and be as prepared as possible to cope with the situation in their area.

Your Staff

In a flu pandemic, care services will be under immense pressure and may need to work differently. In the first instance you will need to consider workforce issues and develop a policy for coping should large numbers of your workforce be off work at the same time (it is estimated that up to 50% of the workforce may require time off at some stage during the pandemic period). Employers should involve and agree a policy for dealing with this with staff.

Staff may be naturally anxious during a pandemic with their own concerns as well as those of their patients and communication is key to alleviating these concerns. You will need clear policies for your organisation to cover all contingencies and regular briefings and staff should be regularly briefed and given up to date information on the position in your area. You will need to identify one person who will act as a lead on flu pandemic issues.

Health Care

Effective communication and partnership working is key to managing well during the pandemic. Primary Care Trusts are responsible for ensuring local health plans and each (PCT) should have a named pandemic flu coordinator who leads on coordinating a community based response. PCTs should coordinate plans with other authorities and ensure that other key partners including social care, the private sector and the voluntary sector are fully involved. You should find out who the named person is in your PCT and how your services fit into the overall plan for your community. Also visit your local PCT website for up to date information.

Social Care

Health and social care providers should work closely together to ensure effective coordination of care and services locally. An operational and strategic framework: Planning for pandemic influenza in adult social care was published by the Department of Health and is supported by the Social Care Tools and Implementation Pack here

Further Help

The National Flu Pandemic Service was launched last week. The online service assesses patients for swine flu and, if required, gives them an authorisation number that can be used to collect antiviral medication: https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk. The system, which can also be accessed by telephone, is designed to take the strain off GPs as swine flu spreads. For the moment, it is only being used in England.

Questions and answers on pandemic flu can be found at

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/PandemicFlu/FAQonly/DH_065088

Questions and answers on Swine flu can be found at

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx

Planning for employers can be found at:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience/pandemicflu/guidance/business.aspx

The Royal College of Physicians has worked with all their medical specialties to prepare helpful guidance. The Joint Specialty Committee for Palliative Medicine undertook this with consultation with the Association for Palliative Medicine and the Royal College of General Practice.

http://www.rcgp.org.uk/PDF/CIRC_GP_Guidance.pdf

The Department of Health's website is constantly updated with the latest information on swine flu: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm and if you haven't received one you can read the comprehensive leaflet here

Help the Hospices has recently updated their guidance document 'Flu pandemic planning: advice for hospices':

http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/flu-advice-update/

End of Life Care

There may be a greater demand on palliative and end of life care services during a flu pandemic. Health and social care staff should draw on the expertise of specialists both within the NHS and voluntary sector, especially hospices. There may also be increased demand for bereavement counseling.

It is important to remember that the death of a loved one has no less impact on families and carers during a flu pandemic than under any other circumstances and every effort should be made to treat patients and families with compassion, dignity and respect. Communication and planning with as wide a range of organisations as possible including hospitals, hospices, social care providers, undertakers, bereavement counselors etc will ensure patients continue to receive the care they need at the end of life.

NCPC’s publication Changing Gear: Managing the Last Days of Life is a helpful resource and NCPC has made this resource available free in light of the current pandemic. NCPC will continue to link with the Association for Palliative Medicine and the Royal College of General Practice, the Royal College of Nursing and Help the Hospices to update guidance and consider any further practical advice that may be needed to ensure that good end of life care continues to be provided to existing as well as new patients. Please continue to check NCPC’s website www.ncpc.org.uk for further updates.