‘Flu tsar’ appointed in pandemic preparations

The government moved to appoint a new “flu tsar” in May as part of its preparations for a possible swine flu pandemic.

The appointment of NHS North East chief executive Ian Dalton as National Director for NHS Flu Resilience came amid reports that employers such as HSBC bank had registered to buy and stockpile anti-viral medication.

Healthcare firm Healthcare Connections said it had seen “unprecedented” demand, with more than 85 companies so far signing staff up for advice, including demands for medication on premises.

A study in the journal Emergency Medicine (Emerg Med J 2009; doi 10.1136/emj.2008.061499) has also urged employers not to forget the emotional toll that dealing with a pandemic could potentially take on front-line emergency staff.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

Email(Required)

OptOut

From time to time, we will send you emails about selected products, events and services from Personnel Today and OHW+ - but you can choose to opt-out at any time. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please tick this box.

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

It advised employers not to overlook the importance of “morale boosters” such as healthy food on tap, free coffee and snacks, free phone calls or laundry facilities.

And the Faculty of Occupational Medicine has added its weight to advice being offered to OH practitioners, publishing guidance on advance planning and reducing the risk of infection in the event of a pandemic.