Steps of St Andrew’s House

Ladies and gentlemen,

The First Minister and I have just sat in a meeting of COBRA with the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England and Scotland directors concerning the outbreak of Australian flu in this country.

As of today, the expected number of cases of Australian flu to affect this country will be 317,000 people, many of whom will be infants, the chronically ill and the elderly.

There is, however, a risk that such a figure could increase even more.

That is why, on order of the First Minister and the Cabinet, I am taking the following actions today:

Firstly, from Monday morning, all elective surgery is hereby postponed indefinitely until local Health Boards are able to no longer need emergency measures. This is to increase the number of nurses and doctors available to treat patients.

The Cabinet has also given direction to local Health Boards that, if the need arises, local Health Boards severely affected may as well postpone non-essential surgery indefinitely.

The Scottish Government shall assist Health Boards with the establishment of quarantine wards at local hospitals to contain the spread of the virus in hardest hit areas.

The Scottish Government are as well directing local Health Boards to make available a number of GPs to see severe cases of Australian flu.

The Scottish Government will be making available vaccines for local authorities to distribute to schoolchildren in the next few days. As well, GP practices and pharmacies will have vaccinations made available as well, for all those who need them.

If you are eligible for a flu vaccine and not had one this year, NHS Scotland in your local area will contact you if you wish to receive a vaccine.

Additionally, the Scottish Government have, after consultation with local authorities, issued guidance under section 21 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 recommending that local authorities require pupils attending its schools be vaccinated. This is not mandatory, but Local Authorities must take this guidance into consideration from Monday morning onwards.

The best way to combat the spread of the Australian flu is to simply wash your hands regularly and keep your hands away from your face.

Additionally, there is no need to deviate from your regular daily life. Precautions are in place to ensure there is no disruption to essential government services.

The Scottish Government is committed to tackling this crisis head on. And we remain committed to doing that for as long as the outbreak continues.

/u/disclosedoak

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Sport and Social Security