Issue - meetings

The Chair noted the recent media coverage regarding extreme cold weather and cases of invasive Streptococcus (Strep A) that had caused death in children and invited the Director of Public Health to provide an update on the local response.

The Panel noted that:

·  The Director of Public Health had sent a letter to all schools with information about the symptoms of Strep A and if a child has symptoms, the importance of seeking help from a GP or walk in service as soon as possible so that antibiotics can be started as soon as possible and the importance of staying at home to reduce the risk of passing on the infection.

·  The National Health Security Agency had provided a pack to schools about how to manage any outbreaks.

·  It was important to enable parents to recognise the symptoms early so that antibiotics could be prescribed.  Once a prescription had been issued there were no problems reported with the supply of medicine by pharmacies in the area.

·  The annual cold weather plan had been issued and was at level 3 in relation to the current weather. The plan provided guidance informing agencies what they needed to do to protect vulnerable people during periods of cold weather.