Clare GPs reluctant to provide swine flu jab?

Uncertainty surrounds the exact number of Clare GPs who have officially signed up for the first phase of the national swine flu vaccination programme in the county.

The national Health Service Executive (HSE) has been asked to provide an accurate list of Clare GPs who are willing to immunise at-risk groups against swine flu from Monday, November 2.
HSE Forum West member, Councillor Brian Meaney asked about the availability of Clare GPs at a recent forum meeting and stressed this week that the health authority should now publish an accurate list of practitioners who have confirmed in writing their willingness to vaccinate people in the high risk category.
According to a HSE statement issued last Friday, up to 1,800 GPs have agreed to administer the vaccine and the authority acknowledged that it could be two weeks before all doctors are supplied.
The health authority was unable to provide a list of Clare practitioners who have signed up to the programme, in response to Clare Champion queries.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has claimed that up to 1,000 GPs have concerns about the HSE’s plans.
An ongoing online national survey of GPs throughout the country conducted by the IMO early this week revealed a number of concerns about the HSE’s current swine flu vaccination programme.
Preliminary findings indicate that a large percentage of GPs haven’t yet signed up and have serious reservations about manpower, the capacity to deliver the vaccination and legal indemnity issues.
IMO regional secretary, Dr Michael Kelleher has confirmed that some Clare GPs are concerned about indemnity and the amount of resources being provided to some practitioners, who were already overstretched.
Stressing that Clare GPs are not opposed to the swine flu vaccination programme and are willing to provide practical assistance, he said that they are already involved in promoting and administering the majority of immunisation campaigns, with the exception of the schools.
In view of the fact that the HSE doesn’t have a universal information databank on patients, he stated that GPs are the only ones to be in a position to identify patients in the at-risk groups, which he felt they would be willing to do.
He explained that the responsibility to deliver the immunisation programme rests solely with the HSE and recalled that the first GPs became aware about their potential involvement in a national letter on October 8.
He stated that mass vaccination clinics would be set up to vaccinate the general population after the at-risk groups have been immunised.
The INO has also raised concerns about practice nurses administering the vaccine in a practice, which presents huge difficulties for a GP, as they normally administer vaccinations to patients.
Five people with underlying medical conditions have already died in Ireland from swine flu.
The HSE stated last week that it would continue to answer any outstanding queries that arise from GP organisations and would work to satisfy any ongoing concerns they may have.