Pandemic Influenza - are maternity services prepared?

January 2009

General Practitioners

Country of origin: UK

Click for Full Details: www.rcog.org.uk

A recent joint Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Department of Health conference examined the causes and consequences of a possible flu pandemic in the UK.

Historical studies of a previous influenza pandemic have noted that those living in metropolitan areas and those in certain age groups were more susceptible to the flu virus. Mortality among pregnant women was particularly high.

Public health scares such as SARS and the bird flu in Asia in recent years, have turned the medical profession?s attention to a possible outbreak of the flu and many countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States have published advice on flu prevention during the flu season.

The UK Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation have recommended that pregnant women are a priority group for receiving the flu vaccine regardless of whether a pandemic is in progress. There is also a growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of the flu vaccine to mother and baby. Healthcare professionals are now waiting for the vaccination programme roll-out to occur.

The Department of Health produced the draft consultation document ?Pandemic influenza: guidance on preparing maternity services in England? in August 2008 to help maternity units in the event of an influenza pandemic and this meeting seeks to examine the NHS?s state of preparedness.

Areas discussed at the conference included:

? How influenza affects pregnancy
? Pandemic Influenza and neonatal care
? The impact on maternity services

Speaker Boon Lim, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS trust, carried out a survey of all heads of midwifery services in the UK and found that although most NHS trusts have a flu plan, not all have one specifically for maternity services. Also, maternity services were looking for more guidance on the use of antivirals and a vaccination programme for pregnant women.

The RCOG has produced a complementary podcast to follow the meeting. A panel of four experts: Mr Boon Lim (Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS trust), Mr Patrick O?Brien (Institute for Women?s Health, University College London), Ms Susan Tuck (Royal Free Hospital, London) and Dr Chloe Sellwood (NHS London) offer their views on flu planning in maternity services.

Click for Full Details: www.rcog.org.uk