1.  Introduction
This report is to update the Board on issues relating to the activity of NHS North Yorkshire and York that the Board needs to be aware of but which do not themselves warrant a full Board paper.

Introduction:
This fact sheet is intended to up date you on swine flu (H1N1) and the government’s decision to move from containment of the virus such as closing schools to treatment. It should be read in conjunction with Swine flu pandemic containment to treatment guide, published by the Department of Health (England) on the 2nd July 2009. Information is also available on each of the devolved government’s web sites. In addition to this, NHS organisations at all levels should now have contingency plans in place to cope with the pandemic; you should also refer to your local protocol and procedures.

Everyone will be involved in the fight against pandemic influenza (flu) in terms of managing the impact it will have on society and preventing further spread of the infection.

This booklet explains how businesses can help reduce the spread of flu. it provides information to allow businesses to assess the types of measures that may be used in their particular occupational setting.

Introduction
The Health Protection agency and the department of Health have worked closely with the healthcare sector and certain non-healthcare services, such as the police and fire and rescue services, to develop pandemic influenza infection control guidance for specific occupational settings (available at www.ukresilience.gov.uk/pandemicflu/guidance/sector_specific.aspx). However, it is not possible to outline detailed pandemic influenza infection control guidance for every occupation or to cover every conceivable scenario where a person might be exposed to the risk of infection from flu.

“Racial reconciliation” has become a catch phrase within our culture, with everyone offering his or her own view of how this should be achieved. But what does the Bible have to say about this issue? One Blood offers the biblical view of “racial reconciliation” and answers the question “Where did the ‘races’ come from anyway?”

If you need blood, you have several options. These options include receiving blood from the community, using your own blood (autologous), or blood from donors that you have selected (designated donors). Your options may be limited by time and health factors. Although you have the right to refuse a blood transfusion, this decision may hold life threatening consequences.

It is important to weigh the risks, costs and benefits of donating your own blood before surgery. Many elective surgeries do not require blood transfusions. If you have questions about transfusion needs or options, please ask your doctor. Check with your insurance company about your costs for donation. If you choose not to donate your own blood, or if more blood is required than expected, you may receive blood other than your own.

SOMEONE NEEDS A BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
Yet fewer than 5 percent of the people who are able to give blood actually do so – and most of them give only once a year.