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Swine flu jab due this week
THOUSANDS of doses of the swine flu vaccine are expected to arrive in Camden GPs surgeries this week.
But doctors have warned it is “impossible” to accurately diagnose whether somebody has H1N1 virus.
During the summer outbreak, doctors were given swab kits to test patients but they were withdrawn after thousands of call-out requests forced doctors to cancel some routine appointments.
It means GPs are diagnosing swine flu over the phone without any clinical evidence.
Caversham Practice partner Dr Steve Amiel, who has worked in Kentish Town for more than 30 years, said: “Without swabbing, it is impossible to know one from the other. We do not want to over-diagnose so we are using our professional discretion.”
Camden Londonwide Medical Committee (LMC) secretary Dr Paddy Glackin added: “All the winter viruses are ramping up. Doctors are experiencing seasonal flu, swine flu and the norovirus [vomiting disease]. This is a busy time and it’s going to get busier.”
Thousands of frontline staff and some high-risk patients at University College London, Whittington and Royal Free hospitals have already been vaccinated.
A spokesman for NHS Camden said: “Over the last few weeks there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of H1N1. If you think you might have swine flu, please stay at home, drink fluids and call the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 100. They will assess you, and if you need medication they will tell you where a friend or relative can collect it for you.”
• The New Journal understands that a Town Hall staff member has been disciplined after calling in sick with swine flu. Camden Council “Stage 1” disciplinary hearings are triggered when staff members go sick for longer than 9 days. Union chiefs said the decision was “stupid”. |
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