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Swine Flu update
Jun 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM
The Sydney West Area Health Service - which incorporates the Penrith area - has recorded a total of 96 confirmed Swine Flu cases, NSW Health says.
Across the State, 341 people have confirmed Swine Flu cases and 2,118 are infected nationally.
The Sydney West Area Health Service has the most confirmed cases anywhere in New South Wales.
Meanwhile, local general practices will be given training in personal protective equipment and the development of practice flu pandemic plans by the Nepean Division of General Practice in the wake of the Swine Flu outbreak in Australia.
?The Nepean Division of General Practice will run a training program designed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, particularly for pandemic planning so patients suffering from the flu get the right treatment and other practice staff and patients are not put at risk,? said Nepean Division of General Practice CEO, Michael Edwards.
The Nepean Division?s immunisation officer will visit general practices to talk through personal protection equipment fitting and help practices put together a pandemic plan.
?Around the country GPs have been calling out for help with planning, accessing appropriate treatments and seeking help in preparing for patients presenting with flu. We will now be able to ensure they, and their patients, have the right advice and best practice set up to deal with flu outbreak,? Mr Edwards said.
Mr Edwards said while many practices in the region may have already gone through a process of pandemic planning, this training will be a welcome refresher for practice teams. It will also ensure all practices in the area have the same level of preparedness.
?General practice has an essential role in containing the spread of this disease as many people will present to their GP when they are first feeling unwell. This program will increase the skills of the whole practice team to cope with the long winter ahead,? he said.
He said cases of Influenza A (H1N1) and patients caution about catching it will be adding pressure to general practices in the region and this was unlikely to change through the flu season.
?This could escalate the impact of the pandemic on general practice, because patients who are sick with illnesses and chronic diseases other than the flu still need care ? and not to be exposed to the virus,? he explained.
Local general practice networks are also preparing for protection equipment and drug stocks to be rolled out to general practices when state and commonwealth bodies release their stockpiles. This is already happening in Victoria.
- Troy Dodds