Pandemic Influenza - Are Maternity Services Prepared?

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 09 Dec 2008 - 9:00 PST

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A joint Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Department of Health conference examines the causes and consequences of a possible flu pandemic in the UK.

Historical studies of a previous influenza pandemic have noted that those living in metropolitan areas and those in certain age groups were more susceptible to the flu virus. Mortality among pregnant women was particularly high.

Public health scares such as SARS and the bird flu in Asia in recent years, have turned the medical profession's attention to a possible outbreak of the flu and many countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States have published advice on flu prevention during the flu season.

The UK Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation have recommended that pregnant women are a priority group for receiving the flu vaccine regardless of whether a pandemic is in progress. There is also a growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of the flu vaccine to mother and baby. Healthcare professionals are now waiting for the vaccination programme roll-out to occur.

The Department of Health produced the draft consultation document Pandemic influenza: guidance on preparing maternity services in England in August this year to help maternity units in the event of an influenza pandemic and this meeting seeks to examine the NHS's state of preparedness.

Areas to be discussed at the conference include:

- How influenza affects pregnancy
- Pandemic Influenza and neonatal care
- The impact on maternity services

Speaker Boon Lim, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS trust, carried out a survey of all heads of midwifery services in the UK and found that although most NHS trusts have a flu plan, not all have one specifically for maternity services. Also, maternity services were looking for more guidance on the use of antivirals and a vaccination programme for pregnant women.

Mr Boon Lim said, "Maternity services are currently under pressure with a rising birth rate and shortage of staff, especially midwives. It is important that careful planning is put in place to ensure that pregnant mothers continue to receive the care that they should receive and to have their babies safely in the event of the pandemic.

"A survey of heads of midwifery in England showed that although only around 1/3 of maternity services currently have a specific plan to cope with the pandemic, the other units have their plan incorporated in their trust's flu plan which are at different stages of preparedness.

"It is important that maternity and indeed all clinical services keep a register of recently retired staff who could be asked to help out when the pandemic happens. Maternity units are looking for guidance from Department of Health and the RCOG for planning and the use of antivirals and vaccines."

Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, RCOG President said, "It is important for pregnant women to receive appropriate support at all times but during the flu season, extra care is needed.

"Today's conference will scope the main issues and examine the current state of flu preparedness in the NHS. We are delighted to have the Department of Health on board and hope that we are able to derive robust guidelines for the care of pregnant women from our discussions today."

The RCOG has produced a complementary podcast to follow the meeting. A panel of four experts: Mr Boon Lim (Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS trust), Mr Patrick O'Brien (Institute for Women's Health, University College London), Ms Susan Tuck (Royal Free Hospital, London) and Dr Chloe Sellwood (NHS London) offer their views on flu planning in maternity services. To listen to 'Planning for the pandemic influenza', please click here.

The conference will be held at the RCOG. To view the conference programme, please click here.

To view the Department of Health's document Pandemic influenza: guidance on preparing maternity services in England - draft for comment please click here.

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists