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Call to join pandemic flu service More call handlers for swine flu
(about 11 hours later)
Wales needs to opt into the National Pandemic Flu service for England, the Conservative shadow health minister for Wales insists. The assembly government is training more NHS Direct Wales call handlers after it was criticised for not joining the National Pandemic Flu Service.
Andrew RT Davies said the helpline would take the pressure off services. The Welsh Conservative shadow health minister wants the country to opt in to take pressure off other 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.
The new call handlers will ensure patients are dealt with swiftly, said the assembly government.
The National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) goes live in England on Thursday. It consists of a dedicated website and central call centre that assesses people on symptoms of swine flu and authorises antiviral treatments.
It is being introduced in England in response to operational pressure.
Health Minister Edwina Hart said that Wales, along with Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be able to plug into the NPFS if and when it is required.
HYGIENE ADVICE If you have symptoms, stay home and check out the symptoms on NHS Direct Wales Or phone the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 for recorded advice and informationMost people will not need further advice and support and can self-medicate at home with rest, plenty of fluid and paracetamolIf you have concerns, or in an at risk group to call your GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647If people contact the National Pandemic Flu Service - either the website on the call centre - they will be directed to contact their GPSource: Welsh Assembly Government
But Wales was still well behind England in terms of the numbers of swine flu cases, she added.
"While there has been an increase in the number of swine flu cases over the last week, it is comparable to what we would see with normal seasonal flu, said Ms Hart.
"In terms of access to advice and treatment, the advice remains the same in Wales."
Ms Hart said they would continue to focus on providing care and support to people through existing services that they are more familiar and comfortable with for the time being.
"As part of our preparation for further increases in cases, we are also training more call handlers for NHS Direct, as Scotland did to cope with their recent cases, and arrangements will be made to filter calls quickly when patients ring NHS Direct Wales so that people with swine flu symptoms - as well as those phoning in with other calls - are dealt with as effectively as possible," she added.
"In Wales, the local NHS has always planned on responding to a pandemic with up to 50% attack rate, and we have no requirement to join the NPFS at this point in time," she said.
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 National Public Health Service (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 If you have symptoms, stay home and check out the symptoms on class="" href="http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/">NHS Direct Wales Or phone the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 for recorded advice and informationMost people will not need further advice and support and can self-medicate at home with rest, plenty of fluid and paracetamolIf you have concerns, or in an at risk group to call your GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47If people contact the National Pandemic Flu Service - either the website on the call centre - they will be directed to contact their GPSource: Welsh Assembly Government The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, estimated that up to 30% of the population could catch swine flu at some point over the next 12-18 months.
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. Andrew RT Davies, the Conservative shadow health minister, said opting into the NPFS would take the pressure off services.
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.
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.
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 4647.