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Swine flu victim airlifted to hospital in England
By Claire McNeilly
Friday, 2 October 2009
A woman from Northern Ireland suffering from severe complications related to swine flu has been airlifted from Belfast to a specialist unit in Leicester.
The patient, who gave birth 10 days ago in the South Eastern Trust area, needs a procedure known as Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).
It is understood the baby is doing well at home, and being nursed by family members.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the woman required urgent treatment and his thoughts were with her family.
Mr McGimpsey said Leicester had the only ?national ECMO unit for adults and provides these specialist services across the UK?.
?There are currently plans to double the capacity at the centre to ensure that we are able to respond to any increased demand arising from the swine flu pandemic,? he said.
ECMO is a technique of providing both cardiac and respiratory support oxygen to patients.
Breedagh Hughes, a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Midwives, last night told the BBC that pregnant women shouldn?t panic as this is a rare condition.
Incidents of swine flu in Northern Ireland are continuing to rise with a 124% increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital. This week, GP consultations increased by 46% and consultations with out-of-hours services were up 43%.
The department said there was also a ?significant increase? in the number of antivirals prescribed.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said ECMO is a highly specialised treatment which is indicated for a very small number of people. ?It involves taking over the function of the heart and lungs when they are severely damaged, adding oxygen to the blood outside the body,? he added.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/n...irlifted-to-hospital-in-england-14520370.html
By Claire McNeilly
Friday, 2 October 2009
A woman from Northern Ireland suffering from severe complications related to swine flu has been airlifted from Belfast to a specialist unit in Leicester.
The patient, who gave birth 10 days ago in the South Eastern Trust area, needs a procedure known as Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).
It is understood the baby is doing well at home, and being nursed by family members.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the woman required urgent treatment and his thoughts were with her family.
Mr McGimpsey said Leicester had the only ?national ECMO unit for adults and provides these specialist services across the UK?.
?There are currently plans to double the capacity at the centre to ensure that we are able to respond to any increased demand arising from the swine flu pandemic,? he said.
ECMO is a technique of providing both cardiac and respiratory support oxygen to patients.
Breedagh Hughes, a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Midwives, last night told the BBC that pregnant women shouldn?t panic as this is a rare condition.
Incidents of swine flu in Northern Ireland are continuing to rise with a 124% increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital. This week, GP consultations increased by 46% and consultations with out-of-hours services were up 43%.
The department said there was also a ?significant increase? in the number of antivirals prescribed.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said ECMO is a highly specialised treatment which is indicated for a very small number of people. ?It involves taking over the function of the heart and lungs when they are severely damaged, adding oxygen to the blood outside the body,? he added.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/n...irlifted-to-hospital-in-england-14520370.html