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| GP and child with swine flu die | GP and child with swine flu die |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A GP and a six-year-old girl have become the latest to die after contracting the swine flu virus. | A GP and a six-year-old girl have become the latest to die after contracting the swine flu virus. |
| Dr Michael Day died on Saturday in Luton and Dunstable Hospital, but the NHS said the exact cause of death in the case is still unknown. | Dr Michael Day died on Saturday in Luton and Dunstable Hospital, but the NHS said the exact cause of death in the case is still unknown. |
| A swab test taken from Dr Day at the hospital has been confirmed as being positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus. | A swab test taken from Dr Day at the hospital has been confirmed as being positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus. |
| Chloe Buckley, six, from north west London died after contracting swine flu on Thursday. | Chloe Buckley, six, from north west London died after contracting swine flu on Thursday. |
| The NHS said the case of Dr Day, who was from Dunstable, has been reported to a coroner for investigation. This latest death brings the total number of swine flu-related deaths in the UK to 17. | The NHS said the case of Dr Day, who was from Dunstable, has been reported to a coroner for investigation. This latest death brings the total number of swine flu-related deaths in the UK to 17. |
| A statement from NHS East of England said: "NHS East of England, NHS Bedfordshire and Dr Day's colleagues in the practice would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the family as they come to terms with their sad loss." | A statement from NHS East of England said: "NHS East of England, NHS Bedfordshire and Dr Day's colleagues in the practice would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the family as they come to terms with their sad loss." |
| It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that the whole school feels in such tragic circumstances Sara Benn, St Catherine's School | It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that the whole school feels in such tragic circumstances Sara Benn, St Catherine's School |
| Dr Paul Hassan, senior partner at Priory Gardens health centre in Dunstable, where Dr Day worked, said: "This news has come as such a shock to us all and we are completely devastated. | Dr Paul Hassan, senior partner at Priory Gardens health centre in Dunstable, where Dr Day worked, said: "This news has come as such a shock to us all and we are completely devastated. |
| "Dr Day was a work colleague and also a personal friend to everyone at the practice. | "Dr Day was a work colleague and also a personal friend to everyone at the practice. |
| "I know the news will also come as a great shock to our patients, many of whom have known him for many years. | "I know the news will also come as a great shock to our patients, many of whom have known him for many years. |
| "Our thoughts at this time are with his wife and family." | "Our thoughts at this time are with his wife and family." |
| Medical complications | Medical complications |
| Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs Committee, said: "Doctors have always accepted that there are risks associated with their job. Obviously these are smaller than they used to be with the advent of modern medicine, but they can never be eliminated altogether. | |
| "It is understandable that people will be worried when they hear that a GP has died but we urge them to follow the recommended advice and contact their family doctor, rather than physically going to the surgery if they have symptoms. | "It is understandable that people will be worried when they hear that a GP has died but we urge them to follow the recommended advice and contact their family doctor, rather than physically going to the surgery if they have symptoms. |
| The number of swine flu related deaths in the UK has now reached 17 | The number of swine flu related deaths in the UK has now reached 17 |
| "We must remember that every year there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu - this is unfortunately inevitable with any strain of influenza." | "We must remember that every year there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu - this is unfortunately inevitable with any strain of influenza." |
| Professor Steve Field, chair of council at the Royal College of General Practitioners said: "While the cause of Dr Day's death has yet to be confirmed, it is extremely important to remember that swine flu is currently a relatively mild condition in the majority of cases. | Professor Steve Field, chair of council at the Royal College of General Practitioners said: "While the cause of Dr Day's death has yet to be confirmed, it is extremely important to remember that swine flu is currently a relatively mild condition in the majority of cases. |
| "The Royal College of General Practitioners has been working with the government on robust flu pandemic plans for a number of years and we are confident that the systems we have in place will cope well with the current pandemic." | "The Royal College of General Practitioners has been working with the government on robust flu pandemic plans for a number of years and we are confident that the systems we have in place will cope well with the current pandemic." |
| England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson told the BBC that Dr Day's case was "very sad". | |
| He added: "He was a very, very, dedicated doctor, loved by his patients and his colleagues, and it's a terrible tragedy that he should have died in this way. | |
| "Anti-viral drugs are available to treat healthcare workers at the first sign of any symptoms, but ultimately they will be one of the priority groups whenever the vaccine arrives in the autumn." | |
| 'Bright and tenacious' | 'Bright and tenacious' |
| Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Chloe, who attended St Catherine's School in West Drayton, north west London and died at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. | Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Chloe, who attended St Catherine's School in West Drayton, north west London and died at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. |
| Head teacher Sara Benn said: "It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that the whole school feels in such tragic circumstances. | Head teacher Sara Benn said: "It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that the whole school feels in such tragic circumstances. |
| "Chloe was a bright and tenacious student with a keen interest in sports. | "Chloe was a bright and tenacious student with a keen interest in sports. |
| "She will be missed by her fellow pupils and her teachers at the school. Our thoughts are with her parents and family at this time. | "She will be missed by her fellow pupils and her teachers at the school. Our thoughts are with her parents and family at this time. |
| The government needs to ensure that all frontline NHS staff are given access to flu vaccines as a matter of urgency Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat | |
| "We are working with the council and health authority to support parents and pupils dealing with this devastating news." | "We are working with the council and health authority to support parents and pupils dealing with this devastating news." |
| Chris Spencer, director of education and children's services at Hillingdon Borough Council, confirmed that the school would be closed. | |
| He also said the cause of the six-year-old's death was still unconfirmed, and described the case as "an exceptional set of circumstances". | |
| "This is a little girl who until a few days ago in all our minds was a child that was perfectly healthy so everybody here is in a deep state of shock and with just a few days to go until the end of term, we've decided it's in the best interests of all involved." | |
| Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said that NHS staff must have access to support and advice "given the anxiety that many of them may face". | Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said that NHS staff must have access to support and advice "given the anxiety that many of them may face". |
| He added: "The government needs to ensure that all frontline NHS staff are given access to flu vaccines as a matter of urgency. | He added: "The government needs to ensure that all frontline NHS staff are given access to flu vaccines as a matter of urgency. |
| "It is extremely worrying that GPs are still raising concern over the lack of clarity over who should now be receiving anti-viral treatment." | "It is extremely worrying that GPs are still raising concern over the lack of clarity over who should now be receiving anti-viral treatment." |
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