St John Ambulance service well prepared on H1N1

St John media release, 1 May 2009

St John Ambulance service well prepared on Influenza A (H1N1) – Swine Flu

St John is well prepared to provide operational medical support to public health authorities while a small number of confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) – previously referred to as Swine Flu – are being managed in New Zealand.

“We are also ensuring we are fully prepared to provide the best possible care to New Zealanders, as the situation develops,” St John Operations Director Tony Blaber said today.

“There is no need for public alarm but we do need to be cautious, sensible and prepared.”

St John is working closely with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Health, public health services, district health boards and other Ambulance services.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health is the lead New Zealand agency in any national health emergency and has activated the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan. The current New Zealand status of Code Yellow (standby status) sees St John in a planning and preparedness phase, and on standby to provide operational support –though at a heightened level following the confirmations of Influenza A (H1N1) or H1N1 flu in _a small number of New Zealanders.

St John is working to the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan and our own Pandemic plan.

Our Operational, Clinical and Emergency Ambulance Communications Centres managers are communicating daily - internally and with external agencies - to ensure that all necessary steps are taken from a St John perspective.

Current St John status
• St John is providing operational medical support to health agencies as required with suspected H1N1 flu cases. We have transported a small number of patients with suspected H1N1 flu to date, following requests from agencies
• We continue our contingency planning and actions to ensure that we are fully prepared
• We are actively monitoring the situation around the country and watching World Health Organisation developments
• We have established strong links with partner health agencies
• We are supporting colleagues in Fire and other Ambulance services
• Our Emergency Ambulance Communications Centres are asking people who phone 111 for ambulance additional structured clinical questions about patients with flu like symptoms to assist in ensuring that the most appropriate actions are taken
• We are communicating daily with all St John clinical people including ambulance officers to ensure they have the latest information and up to date clinical advice. The clinical advice is being tailored daily as required based on developments
• All our ambulance crews are being advised to use extra Personal Protective Equipment (masks) when dealing with patients with flu like symptoms
• Overalls and glasses are only required by ambulance officers where the patient cannot be masked and is coughing severely or constantly
• We have been present at international airports to support Regional Public Health Teams
• We are ensuring our plans are ready at every level should the situation escalate
• We are providing daily information as required to our St John volunteers and staff nationwide to ensure they are informed, including:
· what to do if they are unwell
· what to do if they believe they have treated a patient with suspected H1N1 flu and not used Personal Protective Equipment
· how to prevent flu spreading in a workplace and
· advice to have the seasonal flu jab if their role involves contact with patients. [While this will not prevent H1N1 flu it will lessen its effects and reduce the recovery time needed].

ENDS

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