Click to Translate to English Click to Translate to French  Click to Translate to Spanish  Click to Translate to German  Click to Translate to Italian  Click to Translate to Japanese  Click to Translate to Chinese Simplified  Click to Translate to Korean  Click to Translate to Arabic  Click to Translate to Russian  Click to Translate to Portuguese  Click to Translate to Myanmar (Burmese)

PANDEMIC ALERT LEVEL
123456
Forum Home Forum Home > Main Forums > Latest News
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - 'Pandemonium during the pandemic'
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Now tracking the new emerging South Africa Omicron Variant

'Pandemonium during the pandemic'

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Ruthie23 View Drop Down
V.I.P. Member
V.I.P. Member
Avatar

Joined: May 25 2006
Location: San Diego
Status: Offline
Points: 267
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ruthie23 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 'Pandemonium during the pandemic'
    Posted: June 19 2009 at 6:17am

  

10:33am Friday 19th June 2009
 
       PARENTS whose children are among the latest confirmed cases of swine flu had to wait more than three hours for medication, sparking claims health services in the borough are not going to be able to cope with further outbreaks.

At least 20 families were left waiting at Finchley Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night as the news broke that six children from Garden Suburb Schools, in Hampstead Garden Suburb, had tested positive for the N1N1 virus, with a further 143 pupils and staff reporting symptoms. If those are confirmed as having the disease, it will be the biggest outbreak in the country.

Many parents had been given prescriptions for the Tamiflu tablets, but were unable to receive them promptly as forms and mis-information slowed the process.

Russell White, whose 11-year-old daughter Phoebe was one of the first confirmed cases, said the facilities at the hospital already seemed at full stretch.

“It was a debacle,” he said.

“We were waiting for more than three hours and moved from one building to another while they tried to fill all the details into a computer.

“This is how they were with just one school. Imagine if this many parents from five or six schools descend on the hospital. They can't use that procedure for more schools. It was completely shambolic, there was no organisation.

“People were fuming. It was pandemonium during the pandemic.”

Health chiefs at Finchley Memorial Hospital said they issued more than 300 packs of antivirals in the space of a few hours, at very short notice.

Dr Andrew Burnett, director for health improvement and medical director for NHS Barnet said most people who attended to collect the anitvirals waited for approximately one hour and many people commented that they were happy with the service provided, although he did add that a very small number of patients waited longer.

He said: “NHS Barnet apologises for this, but has learnt lessons which will help to ensure the collection process occurs swiftly for future patients.

“There are systems and checks in place when routinely prescribing all drugs to ensure that they are safely dispensed. These same systems for prescription collection, which often take time, apply to the dispensing of antivirals. All staff involved are fully trained and aware of the distribution procedures."

Dr Burnett said plans are in place to ensure that if swine flu spreads, there is the capacity to increase the number of collection points in other areas, such as Edgware Hospital.

He said: “This will result in each centre being able to cope with the pressure of a high number of collections across the borough.”

Despite the apparent confusion for some families around collecting the antivirals, Mr White said his daughter was recovering well after having a temperature, a soar throat, and showing signs of fatigue.

“It was a bit disconcerting to find out she had swine flu, but what makes it worse is we had to wait so long for the drugs,” said Mr White, who has three other children, although none are showing symptoms.

“She wasn't horribly ill but our main worry is that she was exposed to my father who has a heart condition and my brother-in-law who is just recovering from leukaemia.”

Patients and parents concerned that they or their child may need antivirals are advised to stay at home and seek clinical advice from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or their GP practice.

Doctors have said antivirals are only available for collection if a practitioner has identified that the patient needs them, not upon self-diagnosis.

Hugs Ruthie
Back to Top
abcdefg View Drop Down
Valued Member
Valued Member


Joined: September 19 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 578
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote abcdefg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 20 2009 at 10:28pm
I have a seven member family, when three of us has he flu, my Dr. just writes the scrips for the rest of the family if they get any symptoms without seeing them. This is going to have to be done at some point, it stops the need to take a sick person who needs rest out, it releieves the care giver of one more chore, it stops the over exposure at the Dr. office and ER or urgent care, it limits exposure at the drugstore, and is just all around more efficient.
Back to Top
Suzi1 View Drop Down
V.I.P. Member
V.I.P. Member


Joined: April 25 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 228
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Suzi1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 21 2009 at 2:30pm

I think the reason they do not want to test in the US is so they will not have to prescribe tamiflu for mild cases. They do not want it to become resistant and also they do not want to deplete the reserves. This makes sense but if it becomes deadly will they be able to test so they can prescribe Tamiflu within 48 hours of the first symptom? Will it be used that way or for Tamiflu blankets around the first victims of a mutated strain just to buy time?

Back to Top
tropicalbreeze View Drop Down
Valued Member
Valued Member
Avatar

Joined: January 01 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 55
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tropicalbreeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 21 2009 at 3:17pm
I just got back from a weekend in Miami    While there  at a birthday  party of a dear friend. I find out  her sister's little boy had just begun to recover from the Swine Flu. 
We know this thing is out there and all,  but there is a distinct disturbing unsettling feeling that  hits you .... when you hear of a case from someone you know.   Confused          
tropical Breeze   
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down