Second swine flu clinic

A second HSE clinic has been set up in Athlone to cope with the demand for the swine flu vaccination in the town. Although it's not yet being advertised publicly, the clinic was first opened on Monday by the HSE to cope with the demand placed on the HSE resource clinic in Clonbrusk which is fully booked out for the four Fridays that it is open this month to administer the vaccination. It's believed that extra HSE resources have been provided in response to higher than expected demand at Clonbrusk and a shortage of GPs in the area participating in the scheme. Although, the HSE will not provide a list of how many GPs are providing the vaccine, however it's believed that there are between a handful of GP surgeries in the Athlone area participating "The HSE has started another clinic in Athlone (on Monday). It's not being advertised yet but those who ring up for an appointment will be facilitated up to November 23. Then they will be able to book online. Everyone is being facilitated with a booking. There should be no problem with regard to getting a booking," said a spokesperson for the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster yesterday (Tuesday). By the end of November 27, there will be 320 people in the higher risk categories protected against swine flu in the Athlone area through the booked-out HSE clinic in Clonbrusk, which takes 90 people by appointment every Friday this month. She added that the HSE is "reviewing capacity in line with demand" which is expected to increase in due course. Continued from Page 1 Despite reports of a shortage of GPs in the town administering vaccinations, the HSE refused to give out information. "We are not in a position to release information with regard to the number of GPs, and would just ask the general public to ask their GP if they are participating, if they are not, then the at-risk patient will be facilitated at the HSE clinics," said the spokesperson. "There is no reason a person would not be able to avail of the vaccine in the HSE clinic, if their GP is not participating and they are in the relevant group being called for the vaccine." Speaking in the Seanad last week, Senator Nicky McFadden accused the HSE of creating much spin on the national airwaves but in the Midlands, doctors in the Athlone area still have not received the swine flu vaccine, she said. "People are going to general practitioners' surgeries but they are unable to get the vaccine," she said. "The HSE is speaking the speak but not walking the walk." Anecdotal reports locally suggest it was Wednesday before swine flu vaccinations were available at local GP surgeries. On Monday, the HSE announced that its swine flu vaccinatio clinics around the country will shortly begin inviting children from six months to under five years of age and people aged 65 and over to be vaccinated against swine flu. This is part of the phased roll out of the vaccine. If your GP is not giving out the vaccine, they can give you details of vaccine clinic locations or you will find them on www.hse.ie and www.swineflu.ie or from the HSE Flu line on 1800 94 11 00. Remember to bring your PPS number with you when attending for the vaccination so as to ensure easy identification of each patient should a second dose of vaccine be required. Meanwhile a local church is also taking precautions against the spread of swine flu. The 'sign of peace' is being discontinued at St Mary's Church while the swine flu threat continues according to the parish notes. The church is also advising anyone with symptoms of swine flu not to attend mass as this would place others at risk of infection. Those who assist at mass as Eucharistic Ministers will not receive from the chalice and hand disinfectant is being provided for them which they will use before and after the distribution of communion. The HSE has also enforced strict visitor restrictions in Mullingar, Tullamore, Portiuncula and Portlaoise hospitals in an effort to protect patients and staff and prevent further spread of the flu. The HSE don't want children under 14 years of age to visit the hospital and want all other visitors to only visit patients if it is absolutely necessary. Visitors are asked to respect these visitor restrictions and the hospital security staff who are ensuring the restrictions are adhered to and they must also use the alcohol hand gel as they enter and leave the hospital. The HSE also appealed to people to refrain from visiting the hospital or any healthcare facility if they have any signs or symptoms of the flu.