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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Call to join pandemic flu service | Call to join pandemic flu service |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Wales needs to opt into the National Pandemic Flu service for England the Conservative shadow health minister for Wales insists. | |
| Andrew RT Davies said the helpline would take the pressure off services. | Andrew RT Davies said the helpline would take the pressure off services. |
| But the assembly government says GPs and NHS Direct are coping with the increasing number of swine flu cases. | But the assembly government says GPs and NHS Direct are coping with the increasing number of swine flu cases. |
| Latest statistics suggest the number of cases in Wales have quadrupled over the past week, with an estimated 2,000 people now suffering flu-like symptoms. | Latest statistics suggest the number of cases in Wales have quadrupled over the past week, with an estimated 2,000 people now suffering flu-like symptoms. |
| The highest rate of diagnosis is 143.8 per 100,000 people in Newport, and the lowest 25.9 per 100,000 in Neath Port Talbot. | The highest rate of diagnosis is 143.8 per 100,000 people in Newport, and the lowest 25.9 per 100,000 in Neath Port Talbot. |
| The NPHS said not all of these people would have swine flu and not everyone with flu-like symptoms would contact their GP. | The NPHS said not all of these people would have swine flu and not everyone with flu-like symptoms would contact their GP. |
| But officials expect that the proportion of cases will increase as the virus spreads in Wales. | But officials expect that the proportion of cases will increase as the virus spreads in Wales. |
| HYGIENE ADVICE Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue where possibleDispose of tissues promptly and carefullyWash hands frequently with soap and waterClean hard surfaces such as door handles regularly with a normal cleaning productHelp your children to follow hygiene adviceSource: National Public Health Service for Wales/Welsh Assembly Government | HYGIENE ADVICE Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue where possibleDispose of tissues promptly and carefullyWash hands frequently with soap and waterClean hard surfaces such as door handles regularly with a normal cleaning productHelp your children to follow hygiene adviceSource: National Public Health Service for Wales/Welsh Assembly Government |
| Later this week it is expected that the National Pandemic Flu Service for England will be up and running to ease the pressure on the health service. | Later this week it is expected that the National Pandemic Flu Service for England will be up and running to ease the pressure on the health service. |
| Mr Davies said: "Having a dedicated line that can deal with the questions that most people legitimately ask when certain concerns are raised in media outlets and general conversation would take the pressure off your GP's surgery or your A&E units that we believe that will continue to rise as we go further on into the autumn. | Mr Davies said: "Having a dedicated line that can deal with the questions that most people legitimately ask when certain concerns are raised in media outlets and general conversation would take the pressure off your GP's surgery or your A&E units that we believe that will continue to rise as we go further on into the autumn. |
| "England clearly believe that they have a far greater number of cases at the moment and concerned residents who want to use this line. | "England clearly believe that they have a far greater number of cases at the moment and concerned residents who want to use this line. |
| "I believe that we will get the same situation happening in Wales and it's better to be pre-emptive in providing the information so that frontline services aren't degenerated by the weight of calls that come in." | "I believe that we will get the same situation happening in Wales and it's better to be pre-emptive in providing the information so that frontline services aren't degenerated by the weight of calls that come in." |
| The assembly government insists GPs and NHS Direct are coping and that opting into the national flu services is still not necessary. | The assembly government insists GPs and NHS Direct are coping and that opting into the national flu services is still not necessary. |
| Hygiene measures | Hygiene measures |
| Late last week Health Minister Edwina Hart said existing primary care routes would continue to be used to manage swine flu treatment in Wales. | Late last week Health Minister Edwina Hart said existing primary care routes would continue to be used to manage swine flu treatment in Wales. |
| Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland, will still be able to plug into the National Flu Service if required, the minister said. | Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland, will still be able to plug into the National Flu Service if required, the minister said. |
| Doctors advise using "simple but effective" hygiene measures such as frequent hand-washing, covering your mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and putting the tissue into a bin. | Doctors advise using "simple but effective" hygiene measures such as frequent hand-washing, covering your mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and putting the tissue into a bin. |
| People are advised that if they develop flu-like symptoms they should stay at home and check them using the various sources of information supplied - by leaflet, 24-hour telephone information lines or websites. | People are advised that if they develop flu-like symptoms they should stay at home and check them using the various sources of information supplied - by leaflet, 24-hour telephone information lines or websites. |
| Experts say that for most people the illness is mild and gets better within five to seven days. Anybody with severe symptoms is urged to contact their GP or NHS Direct services. | Experts say that for most people the illness is mild and gets better within five to seven days. Anybody with severe symptoms is urged to contact their GP or NHS Direct services. |
| NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47. | NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47. |