NHS was ‘well-prepared’ for flu season

Health secretary Andrew Lansley has rejected claims that the NHS was caught out ahead of the flu season, which has claimed at least 50 lives, saying healthcare staff have responded “excellently”.

The campaign urging people in at-risk groups to get vaccinated should have been running last year, Labour said, and vaccines should have been offered through ante-natal clinics.

But Mr Lansley told the Commons: "Every winter, flu causes illness and distress to many people. It causes serious illness in some cases and unfortunately some deaths.

“I know that each death is a tragedy and will cause distress for family and friends. But the NHS is again well-prepared to respond to the pressures that winter brings. The NHS has responded excellently this year.”

The Royal College of Midwives has suggested some pregnant women were denied the flu jab last year because not all GPs knew they were on the at-risk list – but they are actually four times as likely to develop serious complications from the H1N1 swine flu strain, which has been responsible for the majority of deaths.

An online survey of doctors at doctors.net shows just over half thinking the NHS preparedness for pandemic influenza is worse than last year – with just 17% thinking it was better.