Press Releases
Professor Ashton's comments on the flu jab ban. Following comments by doctors in the region that three month ban on Liverpool-based flu vaccine manufacturuer Chiron, Professor John Ashton, director of public health for Government Office North West, last night described the UK situation as "
a short-term manageable problem".
"There may, in the short term, over the next two to three weeks, be some delays in people getting their flu injections but it's not something we should be overly concerned about."
"Our monitoring system indicates an epidemic is very unlikely this year."
Professor Ashton on the the rise in North West AIDS cases
The number of people with HIV or Aids in the North West is at the highest level since monitoring began, health professionals have revealed.
"The message that everyone should be taking on board today is that protected, safer sex is the only option"
North West to benefit from enhanced health protection
The North West region will be better protected against infectious diseases and civil emergencies through the establishment of the local branch of the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Being officially launched today, the Health Protection Agency North West is dedicated to protecting people’s health by providing an integrated approach to health protection and reducing the impact of infectious diseases, poisons, chemical, biological and radiation hazards.
The local team will manage situations such as the possible threat of SARS and will continue to bring together the NHS, Local Authorities and Emergency Service to further strengthen the effective systems already in place and by co-ordinating responses through a national and cross industry perspective.
Specifically, the North West Health Protection Agency will consist of a comprehensive regional and local structure, with the ability to monitor and respond on a regional and local level.
Professor Ashton stated: "The creation of this Agency is the latest step in building a strong public health service for the people of the North West. In this region we are already acknowledged as having one of the most modern systems in the country and our experiences of dealing with terrorism, legionella and the Commonwealth Games has shown that the new arrangements are working well."
