Hi all - really sorry if this seems untimely or inappropriate, but I wonder if any agencies ( especially specialist agencies ) are preparing for a possible pandemic. With WHO level 5 alert it seems that we have to start thinking ahead.
We are a CDT covering about 360,000 population in Kirklees, and so far have looked through the BMA / RCGP guidance and the HPA website and flow charts.
If it does happen, we may not have time to " chat " on here anyway, but has anyone any info say from the NTA as to what essential and non- essential services are ? I know SHA's will advise primary care teams, and obviously training and appraisal will become low priority, but do we have guidance on eg ROB appointments and NDTMS monitoring ?
Who should we speak to ? Common sense tells me NTA regional rep - do you know if they have a plan ?
Many thanks
gill

Hi Gill

Well it seems that most NHS Trusts (which house the traditional CDTs) are issuing low level guidance based around hygiene practice at the moment.

I see Mexico has just initiated a society/service shut-down. Obviously we aren't - may never - near that type of response.
But I guess we should be starting to think about how we would at some point in the future run our operations in a way that restricted patient congregation and limited human-to-human contact.

I'm dusting off the contingency plans I wrote three years ago for prospective pandemic avian flu...

Cheers
Simon

The various guidance documents e.g. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Public...ndGuidance/DH_085925

all describe mental health services as critical public services that must be maintained in case of a flu pandemic and all mention substance misuse services in particular.

They say that at the time of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the demand for methadone increased enormously as the street drug market closed down, and i suppose we could well find a similar effect, if dealers became unwell or felt best not to be out working.

I've just sent an email to Paul Hayes, on our behalf, so hopefully we will get some central guidance about essential and non-essential services and preparing.

I don't want to pre-empt a formal response from the NTA by giving any details but please be aware that DH and NTA are already working on imminent guidance for the field on pandemic influenza.

Thanks for the quick responses all.
We are looking at the RCGP advice / 16 point checklist for now, and keeping in contact with local PCT.
Yes the demand for methadone may well increase, and we may need to decide how we cope with people " unwell " / unable to get in for appointments or collecting scripts etc. How do we assess risk if a person is allegedly febrile / respiratorily compromised and on methadone. Advise appropriate medical attention I presume.
Prob more liaison work with medics on call and in hospital also needed.
After the last few days, we probably all hope that it settles into a mild form of flu for now, but ..... any practical info welcome.
Look forward to hearing more
Gill

I know that the pharmacy companies are taking this very seriously... and I mean the supply of medicines to people who really need it, and that means people on meth/bup.. they are up there in the equation.. I am more worried about supplies... but then I do worry!

is this where independent prescribing for non medical prescribers might be able to be used in CDs...????

Really would exercise my patience if I couldnt prescribe for someone... when I have the experience and competency... just because there wasnt a CMP...

Is this guidance still imminent or does it now exist? If so where are copies available?

Thanks

S

I emailed steve taylor at the NTA on 27/7/09 and he replied very promptly "We are still finalising the guidance with DH and expect it to be published shortly."

It seems the checklist seen by some people is only a draft. (I've not seen it but I think Gill Redshaw has.) .I suppose it is likely to confirm her post in the other swine flu thread last week Posted 25 July 2009 08:21 AM "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."
http://smmgp.groupee.net/eve/f...=749103391#749103391

Cheers Judith