Political row over swine flu policy
THE chairman of the Assembly Health Committee says the health department is wrong to only confirm details of swine flu deaths and illnesses once a week.
The row blew up after the department refused to confirm the death of another special needs child last week.
The News Letter spent days trying to no avail to get confirmation about details of the victim and her death from the health department.
It's understood the girl from Co Antrim was buried on Saturday.
DUP MLA Jim Wells is calling on Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to change the policy of a weekly briefing, saying it feeds the "rumour mill".
Mr Wells said: "When I was initially informed that the department planned to make public, information pertaining to swine flu fatalities, I thought that it sounded like a positive proposal.
"Any steps taken to keep the public informed and to reassure them that everything possible is being done to combat this threat will receive a warm welcome from me.
"However, I am deeply concerned to learn that the department plans to only make information available concerning such fatalities once a week, every Thursday."
He said the department's explanation that its policy was the same as elsewhere in the UK was not satisfactory as the community here was very close and it could lead to fear and uncertainty.
Mr Wells said Northern Ireland needed its own policy.
"The defence offered for this approach is that it is the same policy as elsewhere in the United Kingdom. I do not accept that justification.
"Northern Ireland is a very tightly-knit community in comparison to places like London, Birmingham, Manchester or Glasgow and when information is withheld the rumour mill begins to grind."
He said he totally agreed with the need to protect the families of victims, but the wider public also needed accurate information and reassurance.
"The needs and concerns of the families of the deceased must be taken fully into account. Time obviously must be allowed for the families to be alerted to the situation and for anonymity to be protected if that is their wishes.
"Once such issues have been dealt with and the full facts of the case established, then I feel that the department should notify the public as quickly as possible," the MLA said.
Mr McGimpsey said his first duty was to protect the public and the privacy of victims' families.
He said: "I also must ensure that key public health messages regarding swine flu and the steps we are taking to deal with the pandemic are publicised widely and in a timely way."
The Health Minister said weekly briefings would continue, but there may be exceptions.
"Whilst we have moved to weekly reporting of swine flu-related deaths, there will be occasions when it is necessary to report a death.
"For example, if there is urgent action which the department or Public Health Agency needs to take or if there is a public health issue which needs to be addressed."
The South Eastern HSC Trust is urging all women who are pregnant to take up the swine flu vaccination. Dr Paul Fogarty, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, said: “Pregnant women who contract swine flu are more at risk of having serious complications, I have no hesitation in urging all pregnant women to take up this offer of the vaccine.”
Clinics are still available at Ards Hospital today from 1.30pm to 7.45pm, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 4pm, and at Lisburn Leisureplex, Lisburn today from 1.30pm to 7.45pm and Thursday from 9.30am to 4pm. No appointment is necessary.
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 09 February 2012
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Heavy rain
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