A memo leaked to The Times has revealed that senior healthcare officials are concerned that the NHS is not well enough prepared to deal with the expected swine flu explosion over the next few months.
In correspondence between the officials, they seemed to express views that plans to hand out medication and relieve the strain on GP and hospital services are a “complete waste” of time. A memo leaked from the health service indicated that current emergency plans are contradictory and confused.
The memo accused the government of “muddled” thought processes. Its author suggested that the creation of Tamiflu vouchers, where someone diagnosed over the phone with swine flu can send a representative to pick up their prescription, could actually hamper efforts to distribute medication. He argued that existing prescription forms would work just as well.
Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, has admitted that they can not be sure of how many people in the UK have contracted swine flu as many people, as the symptoms are mild, will have chosen to stay at home and not contract their doctor.