Heard the one about the Fringe venue's own 'swine flu' doctor? You have now

Published on Friday 31 July 2009 22:18

ONE of Edinburgh's top Fringe venues has enlisted a doctor to cope with swine flu cases during the Festival season.

A special temporary NHS care centre has also been set up in the city to provide extra appointments for visitors.

With the population of Edinburgh doubling with the influx of Festival-goers, organisers are taking measures to ensure the virus does not spread rapidly across the capital.

There are concerns that if would-be visitors stay away because of swine flu fears, those producing performances could be badly hit financially.

The giant Pleasance venue, which expects 500,000 people through its doors, has brought in a GP to look after companies or crews if someone has swine flu.

Performers have been told not to go on stage if they feel unwell, amid fears the virus could spread among audiences.

Pleasance director Anthony Alderson said: "We have to take precautions. There will be more anti-bacterial (supplies] round the venues for front-of-house staff to wash their hands. It's taking every small precaution you can without going over the top."

He added: "If a performer feels unwell, they should be responsible. The last thing we want is a mini-pandemic, but at the same time, let's not panic."

Two of the ten cast members of Metamorphosis – a Steven Berkoff play at C Venues – have gone down during rehearsals. One actor was off for five days.

Karen Koren, artistic director of the Gilded Balloon venue, said they were advising performers to remain at home if they felt unwell and to contact NHS 24 for medical advice.

Fringe producer and performer Guy Masterson, who is staging shows such as Morecambe and The State We're In, said his company, with more that 50 staff, would have "bankruptcy looming" if he or others caught the bug. He added:

"One would not want to panic Edinburgh audiences into staying away from theatres. That could ruin us all."

The NHS in Lothian has plans if the number of swine flu cases grows, including a temporary "unscheduled care centre", where people may be referred if they call NHS 24 with flu-like symptoms.

Dr Dermot Gorman, of NHS Lothian, said:

"We've sent out information to guest houses and hotels across Lothian for the benefit of visitors, and we'll be using further leaflets and advertising to raise awareness among visitors of the best way to get medical help if necessary."

Dean Marshall, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said:

"Part of our contract is that we agree to see temporary residents. Everyone in the UK has a right to be seen anywhere as a temporary resident."

As part of its measures to deal with swine flu during August, Edinburgh city council has produced about 140.000 copies of guidance about the virus and where to obtain advice on maps handed out to visitors.

Calls to NHS 24 have been rising in recent weeks as the number of H1N1 cases has increased.

Last week, it had 35,566 calls, compared with 32,087 the previous week. There were also 15,336 calls to the Scottish Flu Response Centre compare with 9,988 the week before and a third of the number four weeks ago.

NHS 24 chief executive John Turner said: "While it is difficult to predict if the Festival and the expected influx of visitors will have an impact on call volumes this year, we are prepared to cope with any increase in demand should this happen."

FIRST IN THE QUEUE

NHS staff will be the first group in the UK to receive the new swine flu vaccination, it was reported yesterday.

Medical magazine Pulse said they would be followed by pregnant women, young children and adults with chronic illnesses

The magazine said a senior government adviser had revealed that a "pecking order" had been drawn up for vaccination.

Everyone in the UK will get the jab eventually, but those most at risk will receive it first.

The source told Pulse: "It's almost certain that GPs and healthcare professionals will be vaccinated first, because you've got to keep your workforce going."