Pandemic Flu 2009
(LAST UPDATED: 4th November 2009)
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SWINE FLU: STATEMENT FROM THE ARCHBISHOPS TO THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS
LATEST: Click here to download 30th October 2009
Click here to download 16th September 2009
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Latest information from the NHS:
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/04April/Pages/Swineflulatest.aspx
The Pandemic is being monitored by the Archdeacon of Doncaster in conjunction with the Director of Faith and Justice, Kate Plant.
Kate and her colleagues are liaising closely with Local Resilience Forums in each of our Local Authority areas. The Archdeacon of Doncaster, Bob Fitzharris, is co-ordinating the diocesan response.
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24 July 2009
Dear Colleagues,
You will have heard that Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to all diocesan bishops recommending the suspension of the sharing of the chalice at communion during the current phase of the swine flu pandemic. Their letter follows recent advice given by the Department of Health.
The Archbishops’ guidance seems to me to be a clear and an appropriate response to the interests of public health at the present time.
In case any are uncertain, this advice means that the President at Holy Communion will still consecrate a chalice of wine but this will be consumed only by the celebrant. It is absolutely clear that it is theologically acceptable for the congregation to receive communion in “one kind” only.
Please ensure that you are familiar with the contents of the Archbishops’ Letter and the summary of government advice (click titles to download). They are also available on the Church of England website.
You will also, I am sure, want to give some thought to other practical matters such as the use of an alcohol based gel and to appropriate guidance to the congregation on the sharing of the peace.
It will be important to take time to explain these measures clearly and carefully to congregations as they are introduced and to keep a regular paragraph of explanation in your notice sheet for as long as the measures remain in place. I am confident that all ministers and congregations will be keeping the situation in your prayers and taking particular care of the weak and vulnerable.
The Archdeacon of Doncaster is leading the diocesan response to the flu pandemic and is working normally throughout the month of August . The diocesan website now has a separate page of advice on the pandemic and this will be updated regularly.
I will be writing a more regular ad clerum by email next week but in the meantime thank you for your ongoing ministry and care for all God’s people.
+ Steven Sheffield
17 July 2009: Statement from Andy Burnham, Secretary of State
'From the end of next week, the National Pandemic Flu Service in England will be up and running to provide additional support to the NHS. The NHS is continuing to cope well thanks to the sterling effort of its staff, but as swine flu cases begin to increase we need to be able to give antivirals to greater numbers of people quickly.
'The Flu service will be able to quickly diagnose people with swine flu and give them the opportunity to get antivirals from local centres, meaning in turn that GPs’ time will be freed up enabling them to deal with other illnesses.
'Cases of swine flu in the UK have so far proved to be generally mild in most people, but have been severe in a small minority of cases. I want the public to be reassured that we have been preparing for the possibility of a pandemic for a number of years and all that pre-planning is now paying dividends.'
The situation on 13 July 2009
On 2nd July the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham, announced a shift in pandemic flu management from that of ‘containment’ to one of ‘treatment’ with an expected significant increase in cases by the end of August reaching a possible 100,000 new cases every day from early September 2009.
The Department of Health Advice section is taken from a question and answer sheet released by the Department of Health and gives you the most up-to-date information on what the government is planning regarding the National Pandemic Flu Service and the shift from containment to treatment.
If you fall into one of the ‘at risk’ categories listed below then it is very important that you contact your GP’s surgery and start taking antivirals within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. If you catch the flu, you should stop taking public worship and making pastoral visits until you are well (estimated to be about ten days). You should tell your Area Dean if you are ill.
The pandemic will probably mean that 30% of clergy, parish officers, and staff from Church House Rotherham may be absent with illness between September 2009 and early 2010 so some events and meetings may need to be reviewed, delayed or cancelled. Please keep checking the Diocesan website at (insert link to website page) for the latest advice.
Department of Health Advice
Issued by the Department of Health on 2 July 2009
Why are we now moving to the Treatment phase and what does this mean in practice?
We have always been clear that, at some point, we will need to take the decision to move from containment to treatment across the UK. This will mean the NHS taking the lead as we establish national systems to deal with high numbers of Swine Flu cases. We have drawn on advice from leading scientists and health experts to inform our decision, and on 2 July all four UK administrations confirmed the decision to move to the Treatment phase. In practical terms, this will mean that across the country:
- GPs will be able to diagnose Swine Flu on the basis of symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing.
- All contact tracing will now cease, and we will stop giving antiviral drugs to people who may have been exposed to the virus.
- Anyone who has contracted Swine Flu should continue to be offered antivirals until further notice.
- It will remain a matter for clinical discretion to decide whether antivirals should be prescribed in individual cases, where doctors are contacted by patients with coughs, colds and the worried well.
Local Primary Care Trusts will also begin to establish designated antiviral collection points in their local communities. These may be at a pharmacy or a community centre, depending on local need.
What should people do if they think they have Swine Flu?
- People should check their symptoms. They can do this by:
- visiting www.nhs.uk or by
- calling the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.
- If they still think they have Swine Flu, then people should call their local GP, who will be able to provide a clinical diagnosis over the phone.
- If Swine Flu is confirmed, the GP will give the patient an authorization voucher which their Flu Friend can then take to the designated local collection centre to pick up antivirals.
Which groups are at greatest risk from Swine Flu?
Some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch Swine Flu, and will need to start taking antivirals as soon as they are confirmed with the illness. We are still learning more about the risk profile of the virus, but we already know that the following people are particularly susceptible:
- People with:
- Chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disease
- Immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years
- Pregnant women
- People aged 65 years and older
- Young children under five years old
It is vital that people in these higher risk groups get antivirals and start taking them as soon as possible – within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. We will issue clear guidance to GPs on this.
When is the National Pandemic Flu Service going to be up and running?
We appreciate that GPs surgeries and hospitals in the worst affected areas are now under pressure as cases are increasing in numbers. The National Pandemic Flu Service will take pressure off them by allowing people with suspected Swine Flu to confirm (either online or via a dedicated call centre service) that they have the virus and receive an authorization number for antivirals for collecting a course of antivirals. We are at an advanced stage in preparing the system, and we expect the National Pandemic Flu Service to go live when it is needed. People will then be directed to use this service rather than contacting their GP if they have Swine Flu symptoms.
What about a vaccine? As Swine Flu is a new virus, we have had to develop a new vaccine to deal with it. We are making good progress and expect the first batches of vaccines in August, and 60 million doses – enough for half the population – are expected to be available by the end of the year. We have ordered enough vaccine for the whole population but to reduce the impact of Swine Flu, we will focus vaccination on those at the greatest risk first.
And finally...
Although we are moving to a new phase in our response to this virus, it’s important that people continue to do everything they can to stop Swine Flu from spreading. The message to the public is to keep practising good respiratory and hand hygiene. In other words, remember to Catch it, Bin It, Kill It. Catch your sneeze in a tissue, place it quickly in a bin and wash your hands and surfaces regularly to kill viruses.
Check the Department of Health website for latest national advice.
Action to be taken by clergy
The WHO has asked organisations to prepare to implement pandemic protocols; this work is underway in the UK and clergy will be sent the Sheffield Diocesan Pandemic Protocols in due course.
As indicated above, if you fall into one of the ‘at risk’ categories listed above then it is vital that you contact your GP’s surgery and start taking antivirals within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. If you catch the flu, you should cease taking public worship and making pastoral visits until you are well (estimated to be about ten days). You should tell your Area Dean if you are ill.
Clergy should continue to follow general good practice guidelines when visiting. Simple hygiene precautions are the most effective safeguard against spreading this type of virus. See the NHS Choices website for more details.
Please check this website on a regular basis for updates and information. Also check your local media. Information will be released at the appropriate time by email to clergy and on this website if the threat level increases further. If clergy have recently changed their email or do not currently receive ‘Snippets’ then send your details to: data.handling@sheffield.anglican.org
Links
Faith Communities and Pandemic Flu:
From the Bishop of Sheffield
The last major outbreak of flu in this country was in 1968 and the spread of infection was reduced by careful attention to hygiene and the use of common sense.
This time advice will be given via the internet and the media. Please check the Sheffield diocesan website regularly for advice as Swine Flu runs its course.
However, particularly at this time, it is wise to avoid the spread of infection. If you have a bad cough or cold, or feel ill, it is not fair to other people if you turn up to meetings or infect colleagues at work. It is also very important not to visit the sick if you yourself are unwell.
If the flu pandemic really hits us, then the advice is:
- To avoid exchanging the peace physically
- To communicate in one kind; and not to intinct the consecrated bread
- Even now it is sensible, whether or not the celebrant washes hands before the Eucharistic prayer, to use alcohol cleansing gel at that point
- You should always wash your hands or use alcohol cleansing gel both before and after visiting the sick
- Please pray, use common sense, watch for advice, be prepared and don’t panic.
Please also be assured of my continuing prayers
+Steven Sheffield
Swine flu prayers
GENERAL
Heavenly Father,
giver of life and health:
comfort and restore those who are sick,
that they may be strengthened in their weakness
and have confidence in your unfailing love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Creator and Father of all,
we pray for those who are ill.
Bless them, and those who serve their needs,
that they may put their whole trust in you
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS
The almighty Lord,
who is a strong tower for all who put their trust in him,
whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth obey,
be now and evermore your defence.
May you believe and trust that the only name under heaven
given for health and salvation
is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
May our Lord Jesus Christ,
who healed the sick and brought comfort to those in need,
by his risen presence be with all who have contracted this virus,
take from them all that harms and hinders them,
and fill them with his healing and his peace.
Amen.
The general prayers and prayers for those who have contracted the virus are adapted from ‘Common Worship’, published by the Archbishops’ Council.
More prayers at www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/prayers
Contact
If you have a concern of issue, please contact The Archdeacon of Doncaster, Bob Fitzharris: (0)1709 309110, 01302 325787, 07767 355357, archdeacons.office@sheffield.anglican.org. Or contact Church House 01709 309100.
