GPs' opinions on the NHS and HPA response to the first wave of the influenza A/H1N1v pandemic

Abstract

The first wave of influenza A/H1N1v resulted in a significant demand on primary care services. This cross-sectional study describes GPs' opinions of how information was communicated to them during this period and the overall response of the NHS and Health Protection Agency. Accessibility of current guidance and ease of obtaining antiviral medication were perceived as strengths, but clarity of the information provided was consistently perceived as poor. The majority of GPs supported the introduction of the National Pandemic Flu Service, although many raised concerns about its safety.

Response of General Practitioners to Infectious Disease Public Health Crises: An Integrative Systematic Review of the Literature

“…19 Canada, 19 Singapore, 20,26 and Australia. 18 The other 6 focused on the experience of GPs during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in Australia, 25 United Kingdom, 17 Canada, 24 Hungary, 22 United States, 21 and Hong Kong. 23 Evidence of various challenges and barriers to primary care management of public health crises caused by an infectious disease was found in the reviewed literature ( Table 3).…”

“…Problems with the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) were reported in 4 studies. 17,20,25,26 In Singapore 26 and Australia 25 this issue was discussed in the context of shortage and the high cost of the PPE during the SARS outbreak and the H1N1 pandemic, respectively. In the qualitative study by Bocquet et al, 25 inappropriate PPE supply was described as one of the factors that negatively influenced the decision of Melbournian primary clinics to maintain care of influenza patients.…”

Perceptions of emergency nurses during the human swine influenza outbreak: A qualitative study

“…The same problem has been reported by physicians in the United Kingdom. Caley et al (2010) stated that physicians were perplexed by healthcare advice during the HSI outbreak because excessive information was provided by the healthcare authority. The ambiguity of the guidelines could adversely affect adherence to infection control measures and consequently increase the risk of hospital-acquired infections to the staff and the public (Elliott, 2009).…”

Access to the NHS by telephone and Internet during an influenza pandemic: an observational study

“…However, the fall in GP consultations was far more pronounced than the fall in these other measures. The clear impression from general practitioners is that the service played an important role in reducing pressure on GP at a very busy time 4 12…”