Sarah Eckermann, PHC RIS
General practice is ‘woefully under prepared' to cope with a pandemic influenza outbreak and need to start making plans, according to a Melbourne team who have devised a new GP flu kit. Dr Jonathan Anderson and Mr Peter Larter have developed the tool after research at local clinics showed few had put plans in place to cope with the impending flu pandemic.
GPs will be the front line of defence in the event of an avian flu pandemic and a new GP flu kit has the potential to help GPs deal with an outbreak. “The possibility of a flu pandemic is real and the potential for widespread disease and mortality requires planning to save lives and mitigate the impact on society,” says Dr Anderson. “General practice will be in the front line of any response to a pandemic as sick and concerned people see their GP.”
The Melbourne Division of General Practice researchers identified the processes necessary to prepare inner Melbourne for a potential avian influenza pandemic. “The terrifying reality is that general practices are woefully under prepared to date for the reality of a pandemic. This tool is an excellent starting point that will improve our ability to manage a flu pandemic, in the most efficient way, if it strikes.” says Dr Anderson.
The research showed that few local clinics had begun planning for an influenza pandemic, however, there was much interest in doing so. The GP flu kit is designed to assist General Practices to formulate their own pandemic plans in line with state and federal plans. Since being introduced by the Victorian Government, the model has been sent to every general practice in the state. It has also been adopted for use interstate and overseas.
The research showed that in order to be prepared, general practice clinics need:
- To have one person responsible for coordinating flu planning in the clinic
- GPs and nurses to be educated on the importance of planning as well as the symptoms, signs and of influenza
- Access to and supply of personal protective equipment
- Access to support for planning.
The program is a finalist for the Victorian Primary Care Network's innovation award.
For more information contact:
Dr Jonathan Anderson
Melbourne Division of General Practice
E: jstca@bigpond.com
This was presented at the recent GP & PHC Research Conference. Presentation can be found on the PHC RIS website <www.phcris.org.au/conference/browse.php>.
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