(CC) licensed:eneas

Swine Flu killing 81 people already is prompting fears of a global pandemic

Well, it's here now. News that a British Airways Cabin Steward has suspected Mexican Swine Flu means that we are on Pandemic Flu alert, not only in the UK, but also in the rest of Europe.

Most people don't realise that the NHS has been planning for this for years. So now is the time to tell them - or at least tell the 1.3 million people who work for the NHS.

We have recently completed a Pandemic Flu Media Training programme for sixty NHS Pan Flu leads in England and found that many clinicians have major concerns about the Pandemic Flu Plan.

During the training we addressed these concerns and in most cases turned it around, but the sheer number of NHS professionals who were sceptical around the planning alarmed us.

Two key messages coming from Professor Lindsey Davies, National Director of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, are:

• Secure the confidence of the UK population
• Take action now where we can

Take action now!

As recently as last week, some organisations we contacted told us they wanted to wait until they received the first Pandemic Flu alert - ie wait till this killer disease virtually hits us - before doing any media training.

Well the time for waiting has surely passed now, with the advent of Swine Flu killing 81 people already, prompting fears of a global pandemic.

In terms of helping you communicate what the NHS is doing about Pandemic Flu - in terms of its Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan - surely now it the time to take action.

Having already conducted no fewer than ten media training courses for sixty people specifically on Pandemic Flu, specifically for Pan Flu Leads in the NHS and partner organisations, we are in a really strong position to deliver this training for you - now.

We have everything and everybody ready, in place, waiting to go - on your call.