NHS braced for swine flu round 2

HEALTH chiefs are preparing to fight off a second wave of swine flu.

NHS Oldham — formerly the Primary Care Trust — has devised an action plan to tackle a potential second outbreak.

Staff will get extra training to cope with the pandemic while suspected sufferers will again be advised to stay at home.

NHS Oldham chairman Riaz Ahmad said: “So far, swine flu has been mild in most cases. However, good hygiene is still the best way to protect yourself and others.”

There were 63 confirmed cases of swine flu across the North-West by June 30 — and 5,598 nationwide. Board members agreed a statement which said plans were in place, and those plans had been and would continue to be tested against national guidance.

Alan Higgins, director of public health, said all NHS boards had to produce a certificate of readiness in expectation for the second wave.

NHS Oldham has been congratulated on its take-up rate of the vaccination to protect against cervical cancer. The rate of the HPV vaccination, offered to all 12 and 13-year-old girls last September, was higher in Oldham than the rest of Greater Manchester.

A TOTAL of 12 complaints were made against NHS Oldham and Oldham Community Health Services in the first quarter of this year. This was a drop of 14 per cent compared with the same period last year.

NHS Oldham’s annual general meeting will take place at the new Integrated Care Centre on September 24 at 6.30pm.

A NATIONAL bowel screening programme is continuing to prove successful in Oldham. Last month, 13 Oldhamers who had no symptoms were diagnosed with the disease. The over-60s can request a free testing kit on 0800 707 60 60.