http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2009/08/18/newsstory13631450t0.asp
MORE PEOPLE in Tayside are now reporting flu-like symptoms to their GPs than anywhere else in the UK, according to the latest national statistics.
While many areas of the country started with a far higher rate of consultations in early July, they have seen significant falls over the four weeks to the week beginning August 3, in nationwide statistics compiled by Nottingham University.
An [n]NHS Tayside spokesman said, ?At this time, there is no particular reason to suggest why Tayside is seeing higher rates of consultation[/b].
?The figures are based on relatively small sample sizes and so we would urge caution when interpreting them.?
Tayside, at the start of the study period, showed a rate of consultation running at about a quarter of that in the worst areas.
The region has also shown a decline in the numbers contacting their GP, but only The City of London & Hackney health authority, with over 400 per 100,000 at the start of July, continues to show a rate close to Tayside.
Last week, NHS Tayside again reported Scotland?s highest rate of GP consultations where the patient was complaining of flu-like symptoms-at 116 cases per 100,000.
That figure had dropped from a rate of 146.7 per 100,000 the previous week and 155.4 the week before that.
A Scottish Government spokesman said, ?Flu, be it seasonal or H1N1 Influenza, will show geographic variation across the period of an epidemic or even normal seasonal flu.
?The latest H1N1 weekly situation report, produced by Health Protection Scotland, suggested Tayside currently has the highest consultation rate per 100,000.
?The Scottish figures from the H1N1 situation report can no longer be compared to the figures reported by England.
?The use of the pandemic flu service in England has effectively taken a substantial proportion of H1N1 cases directly from GPs, lowering the number of estimated GP consultations for influenza like illness.?
Dr Drew Walker, NHS Tayside Director of Public Health, said, ?The figures reported by the Scottish Government for Tayside show a decrease in the number of people consulting their GP or calling NHS 24 with flu-like symptoms.
?The risk to the general public from this virus remains low and the overwhelming majority of people contracting the virus are experiencing relatively mild symptoms.
?Frequent hand washing, keeping surfaces clean, and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, are some of the basic steps we can all take to prevent any infection spreading.
?If anyone does feel unwell and has any flu-like symptoms, they should phone their own GP or NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24 and they will advise you what to do next.?
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My comment
It seems bizarre to me that calls to the special Flu number are simply not counted as ili related calls even though that is its sole reason for existence.A quick scan of the figures suggests that the UK managed to more than half reported ili rates by simply not counting most of the calls. Surely that's deception?
MORE PEOPLE in Tayside are now reporting flu-like symptoms to their GPs than anywhere else in the UK, according to the latest national statistics.
While many areas of the country started with a far higher rate of consultations in early July, they have seen significant falls over the four weeks to the week beginning August 3, in nationwide statistics compiled by Nottingham University.
An [n]NHS Tayside spokesman said, ?At this time, there is no particular reason to suggest why Tayside is seeing higher rates of consultation[/b].
?The figures are based on relatively small sample sizes and so we would urge caution when interpreting them.?
Tayside, at the start of the study period, showed a rate of consultation running at about a quarter of that in the worst areas.
The region has also shown a decline in the numbers contacting their GP, but only The City of London & Hackney health authority, with over 400 per 100,000 at the start of July, continues to show a rate close to Tayside.
Last week, NHS Tayside again reported Scotland?s highest rate of GP consultations where the patient was complaining of flu-like symptoms-at 116 cases per 100,000.
That figure had dropped from a rate of 146.7 per 100,000 the previous week and 155.4 the week before that.
A Scottish Government spokesman said, ?Flu, be it seasonal or H1N1 Influenza, will show geographic variation across the period of an epidemic or even normal seasonal flu.
?The latest H1N1 weekly situation report, produced by Health Protection Scotland, suggested Tayside currently has the highest consultation rate per 100,000.
?The Scottish figures from the H1N1 situation report can no longer be compared to the figures reported by England.
?The use of the pandemic flu service in England has effectively taken a substantial proportion of H1N1 cases directly from GPs, lowering the number of estimated GP consultations for influenza like illness.?
Dr Drew Walker, NHS Tayside Director of Public Health, said, ?The figures reported by the Scottish Government for Tayside show a decrease in the number of people consulting their GP or calling NHS 24 with flu-like symptoms.
?The risk to the general public from this virus remains low and the overwhelming majority of people contracting the virus are experiencing relatively mild symptoms.
?Frequent hand washing, keeping surfaces clean, and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, are some of the basic steps we can all take to prevent any infection spreading.
?If anyone does feel unwell and has any flu-like symptoms, they should phone their own GP or NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24 and they will advise you what to do next.?
==========
My comment
It seems bizarre to me that calls to the special Flu number are simply not counted as ili related calls even though that is its sole reason for existence.A quick scan of the figures suggests that the UK managed to more than half reported ili rates by simply not counting most of the calls. Surely that's deception?