Sturgeon praises NHS staff's reaction to swine flu outbreak

Published on Tuesday 5 May 2009 11:23

HEALTH Secretary Nicola Sturgeon today praised "quick thinking" NHS staff for the way they have dealt with swine flu cases in Scotland.

The Health Secretary met NHS Forth Valley employees at the health board's Stirling headquarters.

And she said the way staff had dealt with the first cases had helped to minimise the spread of the infection.

Ms Sturgeon spoke to some of the doctors and nurses involved in the initial care of Iain and Dawn Askham – the newlyweds from Polmont, near Falkirk, who were the first Britons to be confirmed as having the H1N1 infection after returning from honeymoon in Mexico.

She also met some of the team who went out to treat the couple's close contacts.

Mr Askham's football team mate Graeme Pacitti later tested positive for the virus.

A fourth case – a man from the Ayrshire and Arran area – has since emerged in Scotland.

And yesterday the Health Secretary said there was a further "probable" case of the virus. A woman from Fife is showing symptoms of the infection after travelling from Las Vegas to Edinburgh via London on April 30.

In addition there are another 19 possible cases of the virus across Scotland.

The Health Secretary said: "Throughout Scotland – and indeed the rest of the UK – we have been preparing for a flu pandemic for a number of years.

"The past week has seen these plans being put to the test and staff throughout the NHS have risen to the challenge."

She added: "We are dealing with a fast-moving situation and I'd like to thank the staff – both here at Forth Valley and throughout the NHS – for their tireless efforts.

"The quick thinking of staff at NHS Forth Valley helped us to respond quickly to the initial cases to minimise the spread of infection.

"And I'd like to reassure the public that – though the risk to public health remains low – the NHS is well prepared to deal with any eventuality."

NHS Forth Valley chairman Ian Mullen said: "Just over one week ago, H1N1 came to the UK. And when it came, our staff were the first to have to deal with it.

"Not only did they have to move fast to identify close contacts of the confirmed cases, but they have been working day and night to offer advice and anti-virals where people need them."

He went on: "It is testimony to the skills and persistence of our staff that they appear to have contained the initial outbreak, with the three original cases now getting the all clear and the rest of the contact group all testing negative.

"However, as with the rest of the country, we remain vigilant and are continuing to deal with the new possible cases that we can expect from returning travellers."

Across the UK a nationwide leaflet campaign giving information about swine flu began today, with advice booklets being delivered to every home in the country.