At a meeting of the London Assembly, Total Health's Bob Davidson suggested that the London health priorities were inadequate by not having a policy in place for pandemic. The item, it would appear has now been put onto the agenda.
Bob emailed yesterday to say:
I wish I hadn’t bothered as the reaction, or ‘need to be seen to be doing something’ is generally accepted as having been yet another incredibly expensive political disaster area. (NB This is referring to the reaction to Bird Flu and Tamiflu scam).
You give flu a name and it automatically makes it scary. Of course, advertising people know all about it – it’s called ‘branding’, after all, William is sweet without “The Conqueror”.
I scanned their press release and thought we might have discovered a new brand of flu (at the bottom), until I realised that it said “Got Flu?”, and not indeed "Goat Flu" as I had read it.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben McKnight
Sent: 20 July 2009 20:34
Subject: NEWS RELEASE - Boris Johnson meets with health and public services to discuss swine flu
GLA/2009/395
Monday 20 July 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Mayor meets with health and key public services to discuss swine flu
London Mayor Boris Johnson has met with bosses of London's health and key public services at City Hall to discuss the potential impact of swine flu on the capital. Despite mounting public concern officials reassured the Mayor that London was coping well and fully prepared for the ongoing challenges of the outbreak.
The Mayor said: 'I'd like to thank the police, firefighters, transport workers and London's medical staff for their calm and professionalism in confronting swine flu. There are obvious challenges, but I have been reassured tonight that everything is being done to support and respond to the needs of the general public, businesses and services in the capital. I'm also pleased to hear that adequate stocks of Tamiflu available and that the supply we released to the NHS earlier this year is being used.'
The Mayor was informed that there are 63 viral activation points already in operation around London, which could be increased to 240 at 48 hours notice. He was also told that each PCT has a full time flu resilience officer in place and that swine flu has already been factored into this year's NHS plans for the winter.
The Mayor's advisor on health Pam Chesters added: 'Today's meeting underlined the efforts being made by all the different agencies providing services in the capital. TfL are confident they will be able to keep services running, as are the police and the fire services. This is a multi-agency issue and we will continue to work together to mitigate the impact of swine flu.'
Information has also been sent to 80,000 members of the public on the Greater London Authority database, including the following:
How do I know if I have swine flu?
- For most people, swine flu is a slightly milder version of the seasonal flu virus. Sufferers can expect to feel a range of flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, headaches, sneezing, running nose, muscle ache and sore throat.
- You can check your symptoms on the NHS Direct website, or call the swine flu information line on: 0800 1 513 513.
- If you are still concerned, call your GP, who can provide a diagnosis over the phone.
I think I have swine flu. What should I do?
- If you are a healthy adult and you start to feel flu-like symptoms, the current advice from NHS London is to stay at home and use over-the-counter flu remedies to relieve the symptoms.
- For young, pregnant or elderly people or those with underlying health conditions, then it is recommended that you (or someone close to you) call your GP.
What can you do to help the situation?
It is thought that swine flu is spread in a similar way to the seasonal flu virus, which is from person to person through coughing and sneezing and by touching objects that have the virus on them from an infected person. You cannot catch swine flu from eating pork-based products.
You can help reduce the chances of transmission by practicing good hygiene, including:
- Covering nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
- Putting dirty tissues in the bin straightaway
- Washing hands frequently with soap
- Keeping hard surfaces clean
Download latest advice from NHS London:
Got Flu? Stay at home: www.london.nhs.uk/swineflu
Find out more
For more information, you can call the swine flu information line on: 0800 1 513 513, or find up-to-date advice on the following websites:
NHS
Directgov (government website)
NHS London
Health Protection Agency (HPA)
Department of Health
London Prepared
