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Planning for an influenza pandemic
22/11/2007
Increased supplies of life-saving drugs will now be stockpiled ready for the possibility of a pandemic flu outbreak, thanks to a significant funding investment from the Scottish Government
Nicola Sturgeon today updated Parliament on both the resources allocated in the Scottish Government's budget, and the revised guidance to organisations involved in planning for an influenza pandemic.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing confirmed more than £100 million has been allocated over the next three years for a pandemic outbreak, ensuring additional stockpiles of antivirals, antibiotics and surgical masks.
The revised framework explains what the Scottish Government is doing to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak. It sets out the role of key players and how our response to a pandemic outbreak will be coordinated. These preparations will be in line with England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure a consistent UK response.
Ms Sturgeon said:
"Pandemic flu is one of the most serious health risks facing the modern world, with significant potential social and economic impacts. While experts agree there is a high probability of pandemic flu occurring, the timing is impossible to predict.
"A flu pandemic will have major social and economic impacts, as well as putting the NHS and community care sectors under severe pressure. This document reflects the breadth of planning taking place across a range of sectors.
"While signed advance contracts with pharmaceutical companies are in place to guarantee a supply of vaccine, this cannot be developed until the strain of virus is identified.
"Antivirals are a first line of defence against pandemic flu. We will therefore ensure an increase of our stockpiles to be able to treat all those who require it. However, as some people will fall victim to pneumonia or other infections, to save lives we must also ensure there are enough antibiotics. Again these are drugs we can stockpile now.
"We must also do all we can to protect frontline workers in the health and community care sectors who are caring for those who have fallen ill with flu. The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that health workers should wear facemasks when caring for patients with influenza and use disposable respirators when carrying our certain clinical procedures.
"Again we will be able to ensure those supplies are in place, ready as a result of the significant funding commitment this government has put in place."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns said:
"We recognise the need to be pro-active about our arrangements to tackle the next flu pandemic and the need to work together both nationally and internationally.
"The World Health Organisation has said UK planning for a flu pandemic is among the most advanced in the world but we cannot afford to be complacent. We are committed to continually updating our planning based on the latest evidence."
The framework updates the UK Health Department's Pandemic Influenza Contingency Plan issued in October 2005 to reflect developments in scientific advice, advances in national and local planning and experience gained from Scottish and UK pandemic simulation exercises. It also takes account of comments received on the draft Framework issued for comments in March 2007.
A Scottish Framework for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic is the principal cross-government pandemic influenza planning document for Scotland.
The Scottish flu pandemic contingency arrangements are being continuously revised and developed
A major pandemic flu exercise, Exercise Winter Willow, took place in February this year.