Meet Bristol's swine flu manager
A dedicated swine flu planner has been appointed to ensure that Bristol health services are prepared to tackle the worsening outbreak.
Liam Williams, who has been named as the project director for pandemic flu planning at NHS Bristol, will be making sure that GPs, hospitals and pharmacies can meet the demand as more people are diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.
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Liam Williams is Bristol's swine flu planner
He has been working at NHS Bristol for 18 months but will now be focused on preparing for and dealing with swine flu.
Mr Williams began working for the NHS in the mid 90s as a healthcare assistant, before becoming a nurse and sitting on the Royal College of Nursing council.
He said that health planners will be making sure that their plans are also organised to deal with other seasonal health issues that could come into play, such as seasonal flu and respiratory conditions as a result of the winter weather.
Planning is being carried out within NHS organisations to work out where staff can be moved from elsewhere to meet the demand if key employees become unwell as the number of flu cases increases.
Mr Williams said that a large number of people in the Bristol area have been using the national pandemic flu hotline to access anti-viral medication.
He said: "Over the last few weeks we moved into a position where Tamiflu has been prescribed more frequently.
"We have been working closely with GPs and community pharmacies to support them to meet the demand.
"And we are making sure that the population know how to access services by sign-posting them through the system."
He said that majority of people should be able to deal with their flu symptoms within their own homes, use the NHS services for diagnosis and arrange to pick up anti-viral medication and then get a flu friend to pick up their medication.
But he said that people must also remember the key messages to minimise the spread of flu, including observing hand hygiene measures and sneezing into tissues and throwing them in the bin.
Health trusts are working together to ensure there is access to anti-viral drugs.
He said: "It is absolutely about reacting to issues as they arise.
"We are looking forward to autumn and winter and making sure we have got the appropriate plans in place towards roles and responsibilities.
"My role has become increasingly focused on the primary care response to the flu virus.
"I think it is really important that we reassure the public that there are services that we have in place that will meet their need and that preparations are being made."
Mr Williams said that there is already a swine flu assessment and anti-viral collection point in Knowle that can be accessed once people have gone through the telephone or internet services.
"There are plans for further sites and we have a number lined up and are working closely with the city council so that we are able to establish centres," he added.
Mr Williams said that NHS Bristol staff have been working hard and acknowledged their efforts.
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of flu should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100.
5 Comments
by Vince, Kingswood
Monday, July 27 2009, 9:32PM
“I hope the bird flu pays a visit to the imbeciles who have commented below. It affects the weakest in society. I just hope it affects the ones with the weakest brain cells....”
by Alex, mangotsfield
Monday, July 27 2009, 4:00PM
“Creating these useless non jobs make a mockery of the health service & reality. I am a senior citizen & a fully paid up member of our health service since day one of this service's inception in 1948. Swine flu had never been heard of untill it was conjured up during the furore about M P's & their mis-apropriated expenses it certainly helped to bury bad news, but it has to be kept going as a viable entity so that we the electorate ( who are treated with so much disdain) are supposed to believe it. how can a director of a drug producing company ( that produces tamiflu ) be the governments advisor on this issue, he is advising the N H S to use it there by increasing his companys profits immensley. sounds odd to me”
by kevin, bristol
Monday, July 27 2009, 3:49PM
“all this swine flu talk is rubbish , there isnt a pandemic .. the government is trying to create fear and panic , a fearfull population is a controlable population , theres 60 million people in the uk and only a couple of thousand people have the ALLEGED symptoms . that is a very very low percentage of the population . remember bird flu , mad cow disease, foot and mouth , all of them were lies to create fear what will they dream up next ?”
by Jamie, Bristol
Monday, July 27 2009, 3:29PM
“So the NHS have created another useless, pointless job for another useless, pointless person. Swine flu planner? Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?
It¿s simply a matter of using your common sense and sticking to the guidelines that have already been set out.
Waste of time and utter waste of money. I¿d rather they spent his salary on those works of art they were so keen to shell out cash for a while back.
Book me a hospital bed - I feel a fever coming on.”
by Anon, Bristol
Monday, July 27 2009, 1:06PM
“As an NHS worker, I was told by a doctor today that Tamiflu is an untested drug. You are better off NOT taking it!!”