Southend staff join the fight against flu
20 October 2016
Health Care
Staff at Southend University Hospital are injecting even more into patient care this winter and joining the fight against seasonal flu.
Every year the hospital treats hundreds of patients who have
contracted the flu virus. For the majority it presents symptoms
which are unpleasant but not dangerous, however for others it can
lead to severe complications and in some cases even death.
It's a highly transmissible
infection which staff working at the hospital could be exposed to,
so it's important that as many as possible get vaccinated to help
protect themselves, their patients and their friends and
family.
The Trust's Occupational
Health Team has organised a whole host of pop-up and mobile flu
vaccination clinics at various locations over the next few weeks,
making it easier than ever for the hospital's 4,500 staff to get
the jab.
Medical Director, Neil
Rothnie was one of the first clinicians to roll up his sleeve. He
said: "As winter approaches and coughs, colds and flu start to
circulate in the community it's important we keep ourselves
healthy.
"Like other healthcare staff
and carers, I am on the frontline and therefore could catch and
spread flu among patients. Some of our patients are more vulnerable
to flu and can be hit the hardest by the virus, but this can be
prevented if staff have the flu jab.
"Last year 2,276 staff -
well over half of our frontline staff - got the flu vaccination and
this year we hope to get even more immunised.
"I'm urging our staff to get
the vaccine and do all they can to reduce the risks of passing the
flu virus to their families and colleagues, and crucially to their
patients."
Since launching this year's
campaign two weeks ago an impressive 1,400 staff have already got
the jab, a figure that is steadily growing on a daily basis.