Peers set to hit out over swine flu

Jul 28 2009

Peers are expected to attack the Government's handling of the swine flu pandemic.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has carried out a short inquiry into the UK's preparations, including managing pressure on the NHS.

The report is expected to criticise ministers for not setting up the National Pandemic Flu Service for England earlier.

However, the Government denies the service was supposed to be up and running in April.

Health minister Gillian Merron said: "To say that the National Pandemic Flu service has been delayed, or that it should have been introduced sooner, is untrue. The service was set up at the request of GPs and the NHS and has been welcomed by them.

"Launching the service could only be done at the point where we moved from local outbreaks of swine flu to significant levels of infection across the country."

She said the service was activated when the number of PCTs reporting exceptional levels of activity dealing with swine flu jumped to 110. More than 58,000 assessments were made by the new service on Thursday last week - its first day of operation - which was launched to help relieve the pressure on GPs and the NHS.

Ms Merron said: "When I gave evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, peers were interested to hear about the preparedness of the National Pandemic Flu Service which would be, as it has been, activated when it was needed. They welcomed this reassurance, the details of which they had been unaware."

Separately, elderly swine flu victims should be sent to the back of the queue for anti-viral treatment when supplies of the drugs are limited, according to new research.

Scientists found there were circumstances in which anti-virals such as Tamiflu should be rationed in favour of younger adults. The controversial strategy could be the most effective way to save lives and prevent illness, it was claimed.