Army of retired nurses ready for second wave of swine flu

Published on Friday 18 September 2009 09:54

RETIRED nurses and midwives are to be targeted across the Lothians as part of swine flu constituency plans.

Up to 2,000 local medics whose registration has lapsed in the last four years will be written to in the hope they agree to provide cover.

If the next wave of swine flu is as severe as some are predicting, there will be significant shortages of health workers to deal with treating and immunising the population.

NHS Lothian has already indicated that medical students could be brought in to help, and that has been added to by the Nursing and Midwifery Council's drive.

The announcement came as it emerged a second person in the Lothians has died from swine flu. The woman passed away this week, and it is understood she did have significant underlying health problems, as did the 52-year-old who died at the Western General last month.

Despite the two recent deaths, rates of swine flu remain relatively low in the area compared to other health boards, with only 200 reporting flu-like symptoms to their GPs last week. Of those, only a handful will have actually had the H1N1 infection.

The move to contact 10,000 nurses and midwives across Scotland has been welcomed by Holyrood, and nursing sources said in the event of an emergency, most would be happy to lend a hand.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "I am pleased the NMC is taking this action in preparation for any worsening of the pandemic. People should be reassured that the NHS in Scotland and its partner agencies are continuing to do everything they can to minimise the impact of this outbreak."

It could be November before the first batch of vaccinations are available for at-risk health groups and frontline healthcare workers, and it is hoped that the thousands of nurses who will be on standby won't ultimately be needed.

One recently-retired nurse told the Evening News: "I imagine most of us would be happy to pitch in if we're needed, not just because we'd get a wee bonus, but it's what we've spent our careers doing.

"Anyone with nursing experience usually is happy to assist, even if it's just something that happens on the street, so I don't see this being any different."

NHS Lothian's own doomsday scenario states as many as 2,000 people a week could die locally, with half the population off work.

But most experts feel that the NHS and authorities are well prepared for the next wave of the infection when it comes.

Alan Boyter, director of human resources and organisational development, said: "As part of our contingency planning for the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, we have put measures in place to deal with an increase in patient numbers or a rise in staff absence levels.

"We are already in discussions with members of staff who are due to retire or leave their post and we will also be approaching staff who have recently retired about providing additional support if it is needed during the pandemic."