Swine flu outbreak to push up jab targets

NHS Oldham reports

FLU jab targets in Oldham could be boosted this winter over fears of a swine flu epidemic.

NHS Oldham, responsible for health services across the borough, is looking at raising the uptake of the standard flu vaccination offered to pensioners and at-risk groups.

The news comes amid reports the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global flu pandemic yesterday.

Chief executive Gail Richards (pictured) said the trust was looking at setting a higher figure this year to provide as much protection as possible for vulnerable people.

She said: “We are not sure yet what the implications will be as we go into autumn for other age groups around standard flu vaccinations programmes.

“This is about being prepared for the pressures we face ordinarily during the winter period.”

The declaration of a global flu pandemic means swine flu is spreading in at least two regions of the world.

Cases have been rising in Australia, Japan and Chile, while more than 800 cases of swine flu exist in the UK.

However, a pandemic does not mean the virus is causing more severe illness or more deaths. Director of public health Alan Higgins said Oldham, along with the rest of the country, had been preparing for flu.

He said: “Should there be a declaration, it doesn’t mean we now have to do anything more than what we have already been doing.”

Simple measures can be taken to protect against flu, such as regular hand-washing and covering the mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing.

Paper tissues should be used and disposed off in the bin immediately after use.

Anyone who has travelled to the affected areas and has flu-like symptoms should call NHS Direct on 0845-4647.


Complaints rise

COMPLAINTS against NHS Oldham have risen from 25 in 2007-08 to 28 last year (2008-09), with increases relating to dentistry and continuing health care.

Oldham Community Health Services, which runs services for NHS Oldham, received 59 complaints in 2008-09, which was the same number as the year before (2007-08).

Overall, the most popular category for complaints concerned appointments and access to services. Poor communication was also highlighted.


Security issues increase

SECURITY-related incidents throughout NHS Oldham have risen by 16 per cent in the last year, from 95 incidents in 2007-08 to 110 in 2008-09.

The biggest leap has been reports of data security issues, which has been attributed to raising awareness of the issue among staff.

Physical assaults against staff doubled from two incidents in 2007-08 to four last year (08-09).

Verbal abuse is down by 23 per cent from 107 incidents in 2007-08 to 83 in 2008-09.

Shauna Dixon, director of clinical leadership, said there was not a great deal of violence against staff.

Some people with learning difficulties had been involved in the incidents, she added.

Cash warning

NHS Oldham ended its 2008-09 finances in the black with a surplus of £1,528,000.

This was despite financial pressures including increased costs in Accident and Emergency services and increased outpatient activity.

However, Steve Sutcliffe, executive director of finance, warned of problems in the year ahead. He said: “This is going to be the most difficult financial year since the inception of the primary care trust.”


Women keep mum about pregnancy

EXTRA funding has been provided to ensure Oldham women have early access to maternity services.

From October, a Greater Manchester top-up fund will allocate £110 per birth to get more women to see a midwife or maternity professional by 12 weeks of pregnancy. In March, only 20 per cent of Oldham women accessed the service within 12 weeks compared with the national target of 70 per cent. This compared with 64 per cent in Manchester, 58 per cent in Bury and 37 per cent in Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood.

Reasons for the low figures included letters asking women to attend maternity services being sent out late, and Oldham women not going to the doctors until their 12th week of pregnancy.

A publicity campaign will be created to encourage women to make contact sooner.