Flu, you, and the NOC
The NOC's Medical Director and Director of Infection Prevention & Control
Dr Tony Berendt answers your questions . . .
As a NOC patient you may be concerned at reports in the press of swine flu (Influenza A H1N1) in many countries across the world, including the UK. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic flu alert to Phase 6. This means that a global pandemic is now underway with community outbreaks in many countries. However, this does not mean that the WHO thinks the outbreak is more serious - it is simply a measure of the extent of the global spread. So far in the UK the disease is generally mild in most people.
In Oxfordshire and across the wider Thames Valley the situation is being monitored and multi-agency meetings including health, social care, and local authorities are continuing to take place to ensure our response to any influenza A (H1N1) outbreak is co-ordinated. The move to Phase 6 does not trigger any material change to our response at this stage. We are well prepared to react to the emerging position and turn any plans into actions should the need arise.
You may be wondering what this means for your treatment at the NOC. This briefing tries to answer your concerns.
To find out the latest information on the current situation please visit these websites :
Oxfordshire PCT
Health Protection Agency
World Health Organisation
Why have you stopped calling it “swine flu”? The WHO has officially changed its terminology to Influenza A (H1N1). Although “swine flu” is a catchy term, in fact this strain of flu has not caused infections in pigs, and calling swine flu has already caused confusion in the public about risks from livestock or the consumption of meat from pigs. We will therefore follow the lead from the WHO and call it “H1N1 flu” from now on.
Is this the same thing as pandemic flu and what does this mean? A pandemic is when a new strain of flu is being transmitted widely in the human population across the world. Because it is a new strain there is less immunity to it, and as a result, many people get flu in a short space of time. This can cause great strain on social and healthcare services, and a lot of concern. As with any flu, the seriousness of the illness varies from person to person.
How is the NOC involved now there is a flu pandemic? The NOC has a flu pandemic plan which is integrated with the plans of other healthcare organisations in Oxfordshire. The Oxfordshire flu pandemic plan is put into action according to national guidance from the government as part of the national plan as a pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organisation. The aim of the national plan is to deliver the best possible public health response to a flu pandemic; to help the population to cope and to keep the impact as small as possible.
How will my treatment at the NOC be affected during a pandemic? There is expected to be great demand for hospital beds both for patients who are ill and cannot cope at home and for patients recovering from any stay in hospital. The NOC plan identifies the NOC as a centre for rehabilitation and aftercare for patients who have had flu or other illnesses, have been in the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, and are not yet ready for discharge home. The NOC has large numbers of physiotherapists and occupational therapists and is ideal for this kind of work. As a result of the need for this work, during a flu pandemic, the NOC will perform less of its usual routine work.
What does this mean for my operation or treatment? At some point in the development of a pandemic routine surgery and some kinds of clinic will be suspended. It will still be possible to have emergency or urgent surgery or treatment if this is necessary, but routine patients may have to wait longer than would otherwise have been the case. Everyone who has been referred to the NOC will get their treatment when the pandemic is over and we return to business as usual.
What should I do if I have symptoms of flu but am due to come into the NOC for an outpatient appointment, an operation, or other treatment? We do not want you to come to the NOC if you have flu-like symptoms, specifically fever and cough, sore throat, sneezing, or general aches and pains. This is because if you do have flu, we do not want to risk you passing it to other patients or staff. In addition it would be unwise to have surgery if you were developing flu. If you have suspicious symptoms and have been travelling to areas of transmission in the last week, you should contact NHS Direct for advice and your GP. You will get the treatment you need for us in due course once you are recovered or have been given the all-clear. No one will lose out on being treated just because of a delay; but it will allow us to protect you and other patients from flu, and to reduce the risk of disruption to services from staff sickness.
What is happening right now? For now, all the NOCs services are being provided as normal. It is "business as usual".