Important Londonwide CEO message number 5 - 26 June 2009

Following on from yesterday, NHS London and the HPA have reinforced their recommendation that GPs can now move to providing treatment only at their discretion, based on clinical indication subject to the same caveat on swabbing in those areas of London where sustained community transmission is not yet apparent. Please see extract from NHS London Briefing today. Please also scroll down to see an example of public health messages being relayed by the media today.

Michelle's message: We are anticipating more cases so the changes in process we have achieved by working with NHS London to harmonise disparate arrangements across the capital should at least simplify things on the ground in the right direction for you.

NHS London and HPA London recommend that GPs can now move to providing treatment only at their discretion, based on clinical indication.

This means that GPs are able to cease swabbing and contact tracing.
Ministers have agreed the following with regard to handling ‘hot spot’ areas around the country, which recognises and expands on some of the actions we are already taking in London:

• cases of swine flu may be determined by clinical diagnosis as opposed to swabbing and laboratory testing
• it is recognised that GPs who are under severe pressures will use their clinical judgement on how best to prioritise their workload
• swabbing need only be conducted on a small sample of representative cases to support HPA surveillance; this is particularly important in those areas of London where sustained community transmission is not yet apparent
• appropriate antiviral treatment should continue to be offered to all symptomatic cases
• contact tracing of symptomatic patients and the prophylactic use of antivirals can cease, except in circumstances where it is clinically indicated
• PCTs should ensure that communications and support to GPs are strong and ensure that support for the ‘hot spot’ strategy is secure as far as possible over the coming weeks.
   
  

Public Health Messages in the Media Today:

Swine Flu: 'Stay At Home If You Are Ill' (Sky News website)