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FLU JAILBIRDS GUARANTEED TO GET DRUGS
PRISONERS in Britain's jails will be guaranteed antiviral drugs at the first sign of swine flu.
Plans to contain break-outs among the 83,000-strong jail population are outlined in an 18-page Prison Services document.
It reads: "Current plans include speedy administration of antiviral medication (Tamiflu and Relenza) to those that become infected, ideally within 12 hours."
Details of the plan emerged as it was confirmed yesterday that a 15th Briton has died of the disease, the first NOT to have an underlying medical condition.
At the same time, GPs were being given discretion to prescribe flu drugs. Ministers are warning that treatments such as Tamiflu will be rationed amid fears that cases could rocket by 100,000 a day.
If there is a shortage, the drugs will be given first to those at risk - pensioners, the under-fives, pregnant women and people with health problems such as heart disease - and to NHS workers.
Last night a spokesman for the Prison Service insisted treatment would be given on the basis of need - despite the document appearing to show it would be across the board.
They said: "Prisoners have access to the same level of healthcare that they would in the community. In the event of a flu outbreak, the supply of drugs would be decided according to clinical need."
The blueprint comes amid a warning the swine flu outbreak could last for more than five years. The UK has had nearly 10,000 confirmed cases so far.
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This article has 7 comments
this could only happen here couldnt it - after all foreigners and gypsies and travellors can go to the front of the queue for health care, this is a disgrace.
By shirley.. Posted July 12 2009 at 7:48 PM.
this could only happen here couldnt it - after all foreigners and gypsies and travellors can go to the front of the queue for health care, this is a disgrace.
By shirley.. Posted July 12 2009 at 7:48 PM.
It's about time conscription was brought back for all the prisoners, that would empty the jails if they were sent to war, saving all the decent men & women getting killed,& saving the drugs for decent law abiding
people.
By Baz.. Posted July 12 2009 at 5:17 PM.
As a screw I can confirm that cons have better access to medical help than the taxpayer. They don`t even have to wait in the waiting room at hospital, we take them into reception and are directed straight into the doctor. I recently took a con to see a consultant one week to the day he had seen the prison doctor (his GP) for a minor complaint. You try doing that!
By Screwy lewy.. Posted July 12 2009 at 1:25 PM.
As a senior prison officer i think it vital that these drugs are given at the first sign of a case of swine flu. When you have such a large population of people in such a confined place anything like the common cold can soon take hold.
What people have to realise is that the staff go home to our families and could easily pass the flu onto them and then it becomes even more widespead.
To keep it contained is vital for all concerned. We have a dury of care to all offenders but most of all to our famileis and ourselves. W
By Anonymous.. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:53 AM.
Prisioners comming before honest tax paying citizens. Only in this country. Next they will be saying that immigrants and terrorists can have the vacination first also.
By sharon.. Posted July 12 2009 at 8:09 AM.
"Prisoners have access to the same level of healthcare that they would in the community" WRONG - They are a lot better off then us people on the outside. We`re the ones who are doing hard time... under Gordon Brown !!
Vote New Labour - never again
By Ian D.. Posted July 12 2009 at 8:23 AM.