What contingency plans if any are people aware of to ensure that clients with swine flu receive their medication. If details could be posted that will be most useful.

I would be really interested too. It seems like its kicking off here. We will deliver scripts to pharmacies, but what about pharmacists getting it to the patients. Will pharmacists deliver controlled drugs scripts to people?

I'm sure for most people a relative or friend could collect it. I'm not going to get too concerned about this at present.
It's 'Flu just the same as what happens every year, let's keep things in perspective. There is loads of media hype about this, keep calm and carry on.

See http://smmgp.groupee.net/eve/f...=494100001#494100001

Jim... the question should be... will pharmacist be ABLE to deliver services to anyone... we are not immune to the swine flu!!

From my point of view its not the seriousness of the illness its the number of people off work, my staff, GPs and Pharmacist and patients quarantined at home. Its a potnetial logistical nightmare

Yes, and for us ( at a CDT ) flu buddies, deciding when to relax dispensing for otherwise chaotic clients, pharmacy closures, rewriting scripts, and storage of meds are all pretty important too. The NTA tasklist has been a useful template so far.
Gill

Hi
I can tell you that we have been working hard to have a plan to cope and keep our patients well, with due regard to our colleagues(staff)
I have a leaflet I can send people directly but I dont have it electronically, it states what we are striving to do.... but dont forget we are also having to plan for the unknown and work with in a legal framework... one flued out community pharmacist!!!

Hi Gill, I asked the NTA about the 'task list" you mention and it seems it is still only a draft version, and definitive version not yet published..
Hopefully will be jolly useful eventually...

in Leeds drug treatment services we have developed a local protocol around flu friends, supervised dispensing, pharmacists closing, noticecs for the door etc. depends on local conditions (ie we now have a flu centre dispensing treatment, not GPs), but happy to share it. can i attach it here? hype or no, it's certainly affecting perceptions and workload in leeds.

At present, it's just media hype - witness the number of calls that pharmacies and GP have had from the "worried well" NOW it is as Simon says: "...it's flu " as we have every year, but Gill's posting worries me - what happen when numerous pharmacists are off, if the H1N1 takes hold - how are we going to service the methadone Rxs that pharmacies hold?
In extremis, there is a contingency plan in operation, whereby pharmacists can use their discretion to dispense a Rx that is a bit iffy,that normally we would refer back, but the sight of numerous blue script patients banging on the door, fills me with dread.
But I like to look on the bright side- us health professionals don't EVER get ill DO WE!! (GGGGG)
Regards
BobD