Swine Flu Update 20th October 2009

Swine flu latest advice from the NHS

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu, the advice is to stay at home and check your symptoms at the National Pandemic Flu Service.

Patients with swine flu typically have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms:

• unusual tiredness,

• headache,

• runny nose,

• sore throat,

• shortness of breath or cough,

• loss of appetite,

• aching muscles,

• diarrhoea or vomiting

Call your GP if:

• you have a serious underlying (existing) illness, 

• you're pregnant, 

• you have a sick child under one year old, 

• your condition suddenly gets much worse, or 

• your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child).

For people who do not have internet access, the National Pandemic Flu Service can be accessed by phone on:

Telephone: 0800 1 513 100
Minicom: 0800 1 513 200

For more information on the National Pandemic Flu Service, go to Flu Service: questions and answers.

A further message to all staff and students by the HR Department and the BCP Team

We would like to advise all College staff and Students of the College policy towards Swine Flu. There have been cases recently where employees and students have attended College whilst displaying some or all of the symptoms of the illness. In an effort to minimise the spread throughout the College we advise that employees or students who are displaying a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms should not attend College for the time prescribed by the NHS and follow the guidelines and procedures provided.

If you are not confirmed as carrying the virus then you may return to College.

Please click on the “Pandemic Flu Information” Green Link below to see the latest announcements, advice and guidance from the NHS. This also contains an update on the Swine Flu vaccination program.

Swine Flu Update 4th July 2009

The College Swine Flu plan has been in place for several weeks to deal with any situation that may arise. This includes information and procedures, in accordance with Government guidelines. All our staff and learners have been advised on how to access this information. 

Swine Flu BCP Team

Line managers have all completed the college’s “Strategy Action Plan” for each area which identifies guidelines to address any potential worsening situation.
 
At present following advice from the Health Protection Agency our objective is to operate business as usual but we shall be closely monitoring staff and student absences. 

Important guidance for staff and students 
At Northumberland College, the highest standards of health and safety for our learners and employees are paramount. If any staff or students have any symptoms of flu then we recommend that they do not come to college so we can prevent any further spreading of the virus. It is essential that the college is notified by contacting the appropriate sickness absence line.

Posters have been displayed throughout the buildings to remind all staff and students to follow basic hygiene rules in our endeavour to keep to a minimum the possibility of spreading the virus.

In addition we are requesting that staff, students and visitors use the hand sanitising solution provided at the main reception at the Ashington campus when accessing the building.

Please click on the link below for further NHS Health Information and Self Care Advice for England on Swine Flu and the symptoms and relevant advice.

 Swine Flu BCP Team

Weather forces college closures

Northumberland College was forced to close its centres this morning (Thursday) due to the ongoing snow.

All students are advised that there will be no lessons this afternoon or evening at any centres. The college expects to open as normal again tomorrow (Friday).

The college phone system is currently down, so we are unable to take any calls.

Engineers are working hard to fix the problem and hope to have the system back up and running soon. In the meantime, you can email advice.centre@northland.ac.uk or use the Live support service via the button on this home page to access our contact centre staff.

Apologies for any inconvenience.