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Hospitals given pandemic flu plan Hospitals given pandemic flu plan
(about 2 hours later)
Hospital staff have been given detailed advice on how they should care for other patients during a flu pandemic.Hospital staff have been given detailed advice on how they should care for other patients during a flu pandemic.
The Royal College of Physicians, which represents over 20,000 doctors, brought forward its publication from June.The Royal College of Physicians, which represents over 20,000 doctors, brought forward its publication from June.
It warns hospitals are only likely to be able to meet around 25% of all demand at the height of a flu pandemic.It warns hospitals are only likely to be able to meet around 25% of all demand at the height of a flu pandemic.
The RCP said the guidance was aimed to help hospital staff coordinate care for patients with conditions including "during a difficult period."The RCP said the guidance was aimed to help hospital staff coordinate care for patients with conditions including "during a difficult period."
It remains the priority of NHS staff to sustain normal services for as long as possible Dr Mike Cheshire, RCPIt remains the priority of NHS staff to sustain normal services for as long as possible Dr Mike Cheshire, RCP
The college, which is publishing the guidance for acute hospital, primary care trusts and hospital consultants, suggested a system be introduced for prioritising non-flu patients.The college, which is publishing the guidance for acute hospital, primary care trusts and hospital consultants, suggested a system be introduced for prioritising non-flu patients.
Yellow cards would be given to patients at high risk, while blue cards would be given to those whose appointments could wait until after the outbreak but who might need phone or email advice while it continues.Yellow cards would be given to patients at high risk, while blue cards would be given to those whose appointments could wait until after the outbreak but who might need phone or email advice while it continues.
The plan would come into force once a full pandemic - a level six alert - was declared by the World Health Organization. The WHO is currently at level five.The plan would come into force once a full pandemic - a level six alert - was declared by the World Health Organization. The WHO is currently at level five.
Major disruption to the health service is likely to last about four months, but a second wave of disease may occur three to nine months after the first wave has subsided.Major disruption to the health service is likely to last about four months, but a second wave of disease may occur three to nine months after the first wave has subsided.
The RCP says that, at the earliest stages of a pandemic, some routine and outpatient services should be postponed.The RCP says that, at the earliest stages of a pandemic, some routine and outpatient services should be postponed.
However, at a later stage when there is widespread disease, it might be necessary to cancel or postpone all planned clinical procedures and focus on the flu cases and other emergencies.However, at a later stage when there is widespread disease, it might be necessary to cancel or postpone all planned clinical procedures and focus on the flu cases and other emergencies.
Non-urgent outpatient activity could be cancelled for between two and five months.Non-urgent outpatient activity could be cancelled for between two and five months.
Virtual clinics, where doctors can offer medical advice over the phone or via email, would be established.Virtual clinics, where doctors can offer medical advice over the phone or via email, would be established.
'Additional challenges''Additional challenges'
The Department of Health, in a 2007 document looking at how a surge in demand during a flu pandemic, said it would be possible to release around a third of acute care beds - over 30,000 in England - by stopping routine procedures.The Department of Health, in a 2007 document looking at how a surge in demand during a flu pandemic, said it would be possible to release around a third of acute care beds - over 30,000 in England - by stopping routine procedures.
But the same document warns, that unlike in the 1968 pandemic, hospitals do not routinely have spare beds and are already working close to capacity.But the same document warns, that unlike in the 1968 pandemic, hospitals do not routinely have spare beds and are already working close to capacity.
Up to half of the NHS workforce may require time off work at some stage during a pandemic, either because they themselves are ill or because they have to care for sick relatives or children whose schools have been closed.Up to half of the NHS workforce may require time off work at some stage during a pandemic, either because they themselves are ill or because they have to care for sick relatives or children whose schools have been closed.
At the worst point, between 15 and 20% of staff may be off at once.At the worst point, between 15 and 20% of staff may be off at once.
Dr Mike Cheshire, clinical vice-president of the RCP, said: "In the event of an influenza pandemic, NHS staff and facilities available to care for other patients will be reduced. At present, with very few people affected, other services can be run as normal.Dr Mike Cheshire, clinical vice-president of the RCP, said: "In the event of an influenza pandemic, NHS staff and facilities available to care for other patients will be reduced. At present, with very few people affected, other services can be run as normal.
"Our guidelines lay out the steps clinical teams could take to adjust their patterns of work in order to cope with the additional challenges a mass outbreak presents."Our guidelines lay out the steps clinical teams could take to adjust their patterns of work in order to cope with the additional challenges a mass outbreak presents.
"However, it remains the priority of NHS staff to sustain normal services for as long as possible, and for now, there is no indication that a fundamental shift in the pattern of care provision is required.""However, it remains the priority of NHS staff to sustain normal services for as long as possible, and for now, there is no indication that a fundamental shift in the pattern of care provision is required."
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "This is RCP guidance, and not Department of Health, although we fully support it.
"In the event of a pandemic it may become necessary to postpone elective procedures if there are large numbers of urgent cases.
"We hope that this could be minimised, but until we know the extent and seriousness of any pandemic it is not possible to predict the exact impact on services."