Posts
--> Read more...
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Trial Date Set for Kay Gilderdale
PERMISSION TO FORWARD, RE POST AND USE IN NEWSLETTERS FOR MAXIMUM EFFECT
Following the death of her beloved daughter, Lynn, for whom she cared for 17 years, Kay Gilderdale has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide, though not guilty to attempted murder and another count of aiding and abetting attempted suicide.
Regrettably, the Crown Prosecution lawyer declined the invitation of Judge Richard Brown to drop the charges because he said it was not in the public interest and a trial is scheduled for 12 January 2010.
The Crown Prosecution Service, however, could choose to drop the case at any time.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, did intervene in the case against Mark and Julie James, the parents of Daniel James, the rugby player who sustained dreadful injuries and wished to die.
Since MS sufferer Debbie Purdy won her case in the House of Lords for clarification of the law about assisted suicides, it would be an appropriate time to write to the DPP with your views about assisted suicides and appeal for his intervention in the case against Kay. May I suggest that you emphasise that you do not wish to discuss anything about the case, since it is before the courts but just plead that the DPP intervenes to have the case dropped. Since there will have to be a debate in the House of Commons before any change in the law, you should copy your letter to your MP.
My appeal is for at least one person in each of the 650 constituencies to write, in order to reach every MP and maximise support for Kay.
The address for letters is
Keir Starmer, QC,
The Director of Public Prosecutions
Crown Prosecution Service
50 Ludgate Hill
London
EC4M 7EX
You can find your MP here http://findyourmp. parliament. uk/
The Postal Address is
Name of your MP
MP for Your Constituency
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
(Your letter will reach your MP even when the House is not sitting)
If you wish to make your support public and to encourage others to follow your example, please forward it to me and we shall put it on a section on our website with all the others who do the same. There is also a page on Facebook called Prosecuting Kay Gilderdale is NOT in the PUBLIC interest
Click here
http://www.facebook .com/home. php#/group. php?gid=10357574 7984&ref= ts
Will you do it now? I can't think of anything more important just now.
Love & best wishes
John
drjohngreensmith@ mefreeforall. org
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Free For All. org
--> Read more...
Following the death of her beloved daughter, Lynn, for whom she cared for 17 years, Kay Gilderdale has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide, though not guilty to attempted murder and another count of aiding and abetting attempted suicide.
Regrettably, the Crown Prosecution lawyer declined the invitation of Judge Richard Brown to drop the charges because he said it was not in the public interest and a trial is scheduled for 12 January 2010.
The Crown Prosecution Service, however, could choose to drop the case at any time.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, did intervene in the case against Mark and Julie James, the parents of Daniel James, the rugby player who sustained dreadful injuries and wished to die.
Since MS sufferer Debbie Purdy won her case in the House of Lords for clarification of the law about assisted suicides, it would be an appropriate time to write to the DPP with your views about assisted suicides and appeal for his intervention in the case against Kay. May I suggest that you emphasise that you do not wish to discuss anything about the case, since it is before the courts but just plead that the DPP intervenes to have the case dropped. Since there will have to be a debate in the House of Commons before any change in the law, you should copy your letter to your MP.
My appeal is for at least one person in each of the 650 constituencies to write, in order to reach every MP and maximise support for Kay.
The address for letters is
Keir Starmer, QC,
The Director of Public Prosecutions
Crown Prosecution Service
50 Ludgate Hill
London
EC4M 7EX
You can find your MP here http://findyourmp. parliament. uk/
The Postal Address is
Name of your MP
MP for Your Constituency
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
(Your letter will reach your MP even when the House is not sitting)
If you wish to make your support public and to encourage others to follow your example, please forward it to me and we shall put it on a section on our website with all the others who do the same. There is also a page on Facebook called Prosecuting Kay Gilderdale is NOT in the PUBLIC interest
Click here
http://www.facebook .com/home. php#/group. php?gid=10357574 7984&ref= ts
Will you do it now? I can't think of anything more important just now.
Love & best wishes
John
drjohngreensmith@ mefreeforall. org
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Free For All. org
Friday, 14 August 2009
Aftermath of the recent application for Judicial Review
MAY BE REPOSTED
Aftermath of the recent application for Judicial Review
I believe the publication and dissemination of the "Statement from
Professor Malcolm Hooper" of 29 July was ill advised. This is not meant in
any way as a criticism of Prof Hooper himself, for whom I have the greatest
respect, nor of those who published the statement on the internet, and
should not be construed as such. I nevertheless believe this action to have
been an unfortunate mistake.
The problem is that the statement appears to make the assumption that its
readers will be fully conversant with what it refers to, but its
publication has had the effect of sowing seeds of doubt, mistrust and in
some quarters even paranoia in the M.E. community. Instead of dispelling
misunderstanding, it has inadvertently created more.
The statement begins by making reference, without actually identifying it,
to a video on YouTube, described as "erroneous" and "defamatory" .
For my own part, not having access to YouTube, I sought clarification of
the statement on the internet discussion group where I had read it. But far
from informed responses, I attracted instead unwarranted insults,
insinuations, defamation, censorship of my posts and the threat of being
barred from the group - a threat which was very soon carried out. (I found
this development itself to be alarming and worrying, more so since I've
realised others are also being subjected there to this kind of treatment.)
In the meantime I finally managed to view the YouTube video in question. I
watched it several times over and became even more nonplussed, since the
video, which consists of someone talking to camera about the Witness
Statement of the solicitor acting for NICE in the recent application for
Judicial Review, did not strike me so much as an 'attack' but more a
salutary comment on technical and tactical considerations when one seeks to
pursue litigation.
It deals with aspects of the Witness Statement outlining activities of
parties involved with the Claimants' team which had resulted in the
granting of a Wasted Costs Order (to the tune of £50,000, as it turns out)
against the Claimants' solicitors.
Further information on this episode is provided in the 29 July statement
itself, which reveals that the Claimants, in the wake of the hearing, have
issued complaints to the Legal Complaints Service and the Bar Council
Standards Board about the conduct of their own solicitor and barrister.
It was inevitable that comment and debate on all of this would follow on
the internet in the various discussion groups. Unfortunately, since one or
two of these groups operate an unofficial policy of banning any mention of
a particular campaigning web site (although this restriction is, in
reality, only selectively applied), this has had the inevitable consequence
of hampering and distorting free expression and legitimate debate, further
resulting in polarising of views within the M.E. community and the
engendering of artificial and unnecessary animosity between various parties.
All statements, pronouncements and commentary on any aspect of the recent
application for Judicial Review of NICE's 'CFS/ME' Guideline aside, one
need only read the actual Approved Judgment of Mr Justice Simon to
understand why the application failed.
(This judgment is available on the internet, but the only location I am
aware of I cannot mention here, since it might result in this entire
comment of mine being blocked on certain internet discussion groups, which
itself illustrates the point made above about the hampering of legitimate
debate.)
It is clear that technical and tactical errors were made in pursuit of this
application for Judicial Review of a NICE Guideline. No one is perfect, but
where the responsibility for this may or may not lie is not the real issue
here; what is important is that valuable lessons can and should be learned
for the future of campaigning on behalf of the M.E. community. But these
lessons cannot be learned if discussion of the issues raised is to be
censored, controlled and suppressed.
To err is human. All of us are capable of making mistakes and it cannot be
taken for granted that anyone's 'status' within the M.E. community
guarantees that whatever they say or do is always correct or unquestionable.
What should be relevant and valuable debate on the internet is often
reduced to personal comment, through unquestioning support for certain
groups or individuals, or, conversely, through hostility born of prejudice.
This is neither useful nor helpful.
The fact that it came as a complete surprise to most people shortly before
the first hearing (at which permission was sought to proceed with an
application for Judicial Review) that there was a second application in the
pipeline besides the one which had been publicised for some time already,
serves to illustrate this point. Speculation and rumour began to abound,
exacerbated by the lack of public explanation for this development.
The 'M.E. community' is not any kind of cohesive organisation, but it can
sometimes appear to be akin to something like a Masonic lodge, with
different degrees of 'initiation' and inner circles within inner circles,
where information is withheld from those not included in various cliques,
who, in turn, often eye each other with suspicion and mistrust. This is
getting us nowhere except going round in circles.
We should consider all relevant information first hand, for ourselves, and
not rely on others to tell us what or who to believe or support. This is
not a religious crusade we're involved in, but a political one. Everything
has form and content, and it is important to distinguish these two aspects:
we sometimes have to look beyond the language used and concentrate on
what it is that is actually being said.
The aftermath of the Judicial Review application has made it clear that
what is needed more than ever in the M.E. community is not knee-jerk
reaction and assumption, but openness and transparency from all.
John Sayer
--> Read more...
Aftermath of the recent application for Judicial Review
I believe the publication and dissemination of the "Statement from
Professor Malcolm Hooper" of 29 July was ill advised. This is not meant in
any way as a criticism of Prof Hooper himself, for whom I have the greatest
respect, nor of those who published the statement on the internet, and
should not be construed as such. I nevertheless believe this action to have
been an unfortunate mistake.
The problem is that the statement appears to make the assumption that its
readers will be fully conversant with what it refers to, but its
publication has had the effect of sowing seeds of doubt, mistrust and in
some quarters even paranoia in the M.E. community. Instead of dispelling
misunderstanding, it has inadvertently created more.
The statement begins by making reference, without actually identifying it,
to a video on YouTube, described as "erroneous" and "defamatory" .
For my own part, not having access to YouTube, I sought clarification of
the statement on the internet discussion group where I had read it. But far
from informed responses, I attracted instead unwarranted insults,
insinuations, defamation, censorship of my posts and the threat of being
barred from the group - a threat which was very soon carried out. (I found
this development itself to be alarming and worrying, more so since I've
realised others are also being subjected there to this kind of treatment.)
In the meantime I finally managed to view the YouTube video in question. I
watched it several times over and became even more nonplussed, since the
video, which consists of someone talking to camera about the Witness
Statement of the solicitor acting for NICE in the recent application for
Judicial Review, did not strike me so much as an 'attack' but more a
salutary comment on technical and tactical considerations when one seeks to
pursue litigation.
It deals with aspects of the Witness Statement outlining activities of
parties involved with the Claimants' team which had resulted in the
granting of a Wasted Costs Order (to the tune of £50,000, as it turns out)
against the Claimants' solicitors.
Further information on this episode is provided in the 29 July statement
itself, which reveals that the Claimants, in the wake of the hearing, have
issued complaints to the Legal Complaints Service and the Bar Council
Standards Board about the conduct of their own solicitor and barrister.
It was inevitable that comment and debate on all of this would follow on
the internet in the various discussion groups. Unfortunately, since one or
two of these groups operate an unofficial policy of banning any mention of
a particular campaigning web site (although this restriction is, in
reality, only selectively applied), this has had the inevitable consequence
of hampering and distorting free expression and legitimate debate, further
resulting in polarising of views within the M.E. community and the
engendering of artificial and unnecessary animosity between various parties.
All statements, pronouncements and commentary on any aspect of the recent
application for Judicial Review of NICE's 'CFS/ME' Guideline aside, one
need only read the actual Approved Judgment of Mr Justice Simon to
understand why the application failed.
(This judgment is available on the internet, but the only location I am
aware of I cannot mention here, since it might result in this entire
comment of mine being blocked on certain internet discussion groups, which
itself illustrates the point made above about the hampering of legitimate
debate.)
It is clear that technical and tactical errors were made in pursuit of this
application for Judicial Review of a NICE Guideline. No one is perfect, but
where the responsibility for this may or may not lie is not the real issue
here; what is important is that valuable lessons can and should be learned
for the future of campaigning on behalf of the M.E. community. But these
lessons cannot be learned if discussion of the issues raised is to be
censored, controlled and suppressed.
To err is human. All of us are capable of making mistakes and it cannot be
taken for granted that anyone's 'status' within the M.E. community
guarantees that whatever they say or do is always correct or unquestionable.
What should be relevant and valuable debate on the internet is often
reduced to personal comment, through unquestioning support for certain
groups or individuals, or, conversely, through hostility born of prejudice.
This is neither useful nor helpful.
The fact that it came as a complete surprise to most people shortly before
the first hearing (at which permission was sought to proceed with an
application for Judicial Review) that there was a second application in the
pipeline besides the one which had been publicised for some time already,
serves to illustrate this point. Speculation and rumour began to abound,
exacerbated by the lack of public explanation for this development.
The 'M.E. community' is not any kind of cohesive organisation, but it can
sometimes appear to be akin to something like a Masonic lodge, with
different degrees of 'initiation' and inner circles within inner circles,
where information is withheld from those not included in various cliques,
who, in turn, often eye each other with suspicion and mistrust. This is
getting us nowhere except going round in circles.
We should consider all relevant information first hand, for ourselves, and
not rely on others to tell us what or who to believe or support. This is
not a religious crusade we're involved in, but a political one. Everything
has form and content, and it is important to distinguish these two aspects:
we sometimes have to look beyond the language used and concentrate on
what it is that is actually being said.
The aftermath of the Judicial Review application has made it clear that
what is needed more than ever in the M.E. community is not knee-jerk
reaction and assumption, but openness and transparency from all.
John Sayer
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Act Now To Prevent UK Disability Living Allowance From Being Axed
PERMISSION TO REPOST
Scroll down the website to read much more news on
One Click or go to the News Archives
http://www.theonecl ickgroup. co.uk/news. php
SUMMARY
* Act Now To Prevent UK Disability Living Allowance From Being Axed
http://tinyurl. com/nhfvcb
LOGO
Time running out is running out to save Disability
Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance from being
axed. Claimants have just 100 days to prevent their
DLA and AA being abolished. A government green paper
has revealed proposals to stop paying `disability
benefits, for example, attendance allowance'' and
hand the cash over to social services instead.
Find out more about the proposed abolition of
DLA and AA and how you can join our campaign
to fight back.
Steve Donnison, Benefits & Work
* UK Social Worker Struck Off For Abuse Of Young Girls
http://tinyurl. com/msf7lg
LOGO
Christopher Hardman, 55, from Batley, West Yorkshire
has been found guilty of misconduct after encouraging
teenagers to pose topless for photo shoots. "This was
an elaborate and sophisticated scheme deliberately
targeting young women, the majority of whom were
service users and two of whom were vulnerable," said
Sarah Phillips, GSCC committee chairman.
BBC News
Related Links:
* UK Social Workers - Unkindness, Crime, Corruption And Porn Claims
Norman Silvester, Sunday Mail
http://tinyurl. com/mso2jm
* Social Worker Struck Off After Child Sex Offences
Editorial, Lynn News
http://tinyurl. com/ksl4wg
* UK NHS Database - Open Season For Paedophiles, Estranged Spouses, Social Workers Et Al
Dave Blackhurst, The Sentinel
http://tinyurl. com/n8z3aw
* One Click Information Release -
CFS/ME NICE Guidelines, Judicial Review
http://tinyurl. com/mdyeed
LOGO
I would like to take this opportunity to write to
publicly thank all those who have sent such kind
words to One Click and my family over our part of
the Judicial Review of the CFS/ME NICE Guidelines.
The Saunders Law Partnership, our lawyers who handled
our part of the Judicial Review, are now featuring
the JR on their website. Publication of 'How The
Judicial Review Of The CFS/ME NICE Guidelines Was
Lost' (http://tinyurl. com/mwztsk) has naturally
generated a stream of vicious and defamatory
abuse emanating from the associates of solicitors
Leigh Day & Co's clients Douglas Fraser, Kevin
Short and their advisors. The worst parts of these
actions and defamation have been forwarded to the
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). One Click
has formally requested a statement from Leigh Day
Senior Partner Martyn Day and Jamie Beagent in
relation to the debacle of this case that has
resulted in them paying a fine to NICE of £50,000
in the form of a Wasted Costs Order. Contact
details of the aforementioned are now published.
Information Release, Jane Bryant, The One Click Group
Related Links:
* How The Judicial Review Of The CFS/ME NICE Guidelines Was Lost
Jane Bryant, The One Click Group
http://tinyurl. com/mwztsk
* Heartfelt Thanks To TOCG For The NICE CFS/ME JR Review
Lara, Health Advocate
http://tinyurl. com/ly5954
* NICE And Their Irrational CFS/ME Guidelines
Dr Rita Pal, NHS - Behind The Headlines
http://tinyurl. com/lsk4ft
--> Read more...
Scroll down the website to read much more news on
One Click or go to the News Archives
http://www.theonecl ickgroup. co.uk/news. php
SUMMARY
* Act Now To Prevent UK Disability Living Allowance From Being Axed
http://tinyurl. com/nhfvcb
LOGO
Time running out is running out to save Disability
Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance from being
axed. Claimants have just 100 days to prevent their
DLA and AA being abolished. A government green paper
has revealed proposals to stop paying `disability
benefits, for example, attendance allowance'' and
hand the cash over to social services instead.
Find out more about the proposed abolition of
DLA and AA and how you can join our campaign
to fight back.
Steve Donnison, Benefits & Work
* UK Social Worker Struck Off For Abuse Of Young Girls
http://tinyurl. com/msf7lg
LOGO
Christopher Hardman, 55, from Batley, West Yorkshire
has been found guilty of misconduct after encouraging
teenagers to pose topless for photo shoots. "This was
an elaborate and sophisticated scheme deliberately
targeting young women, the majority of whom were
service users and two of whom were vulnerable," said
Sarah Phillips, GSCC committee chairman.
BBC News
Related Links:
* UK Social Workers - Unkindness, Crime, Corruption And Porn Claims
Norman Silvester, Sunday Mail
http://tinyurl. com/mso2jm
* Social Worker Struck Off After Child Sex Offences
Editorial, Lynn News
http://tinyurl. com/ksl4wg
* UK NHS Database - Open Season For Paedophiles, Estranged Spouses, Social Workers Et Al
Dave Blackhurst, The Sentinel
http://tinyurl. com/n8z3aw
* One Click Information Release -
CFS/ME NICE Guidelines, Judicial Review
http://tinyurl. com/mdyeed
LOGO
I would like to take this opportunity to write to
publicly thank all those who have sent such kind
words to One Click and my family over our part of
the Judicial Review of the CFS/ME NICE Guidelines.
The Saunders Law Partnership, our lawyers who handled
our part of the Judicial Review, are now featuring
the JR on their website. Publication of 'How The
Judicial Review Of The CFS/ME NICE Guidelines Was
Lost' (http://tinyurl. com/mwztsk) has naturally
generated a stream of vicious and defamatory
abuse emanating from the associates of solicitors
Leigh Day & Co's clients Douglas Fraser, Kevin
Short and their advisors. The worst parts of these
actions and defamation have been forwarded to the
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). One Click
has formally requested a statement from Leigh Day
Senior Partner Martyn Day and Jamie Beagent in
relation to the debacle of this case that has
resulted in them paying a fine to NICE of £50,000
in the form of a Wasted Costs Order. Contact
details of the aforementioned are now published.
Information Release, Jane Bryant, The One Click Group
Related Links:
* How The Judicial Review Of The CFS/ME NICE Guidelines Was Lost
Jane Bryant, The One Click Group
http://tinyurl. com/mwztsk
* Heartfelt Thanks To TOCG For The NICE CFS/ME JR Review
Lara, Health Advocate
http://tinyurl. com/ly5954
* NICE And Their Irrational CFS/ME Guidelines
Dr Rita Pal, NHS - Behind The Headlines
http://tinyurl. com/lsk4ft
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Statement from Professor Malcolm Hooper
Permission to Repost
http://www.meaction uk.org.uk/ Statement_ re_videos_ by_MH.htm
STATEMENT FROM PROFESSOR MALCOLM HOOPER
I am dismayed by the YouTube attacks on Margaret Williams and wish to place
on public record that to my certain knowledge they are both erroneous and
defamatory. Those making these unfounded accusations are doing a great
disservice to the whole ME community.
People have a right to know the facts. Margaret Williams does occasionally
use and has published material using the pseudonym Julia Hamilton.
The exhibits to the witness statement of NICE's solicitor Stephen Hocking
from Beachcroft LLP in relation to NICE's allegations about Julia Hamilton
are also seriously erroneous.
Using the name Julia Hamilton, Margaret Williams did indeed contact NICE and
the Legal Services Commission with a legitimate request for information that
was in the public interest, but she did not say that she worked for either
the LSC or for Leigh Day & Co. She did, however, say she was working with
Leigh Day & Co, a fact confirmed by them on 9th February 2009 when Jamie
Beagent wrote to her saying: "Your role and involvement. .in the legal
proceedings is perfectly proper".
The failure to redact this erroneous information before the Court was
entirely the fault of the lawyers involved and was not due to Margaret
Williams or any other advisors to the Claimants.
Erroneous information has now entered the public domain and subsequently
been used to mount misconceived and unjustified attacks on Margaret
Williams' privacy and character. Those making these attacks are ignorant of
all the facts of the case and are acting maliciously.
The alleged misrepresentation of quotations from NICE's witness Professor
Anthony Pinching as set out in Beagent's first witness statement (which
attracted criticism from the Judge) lies with Beagent, not with Margaret
Williams. Beagent chose not to heed the detailed quotations sent to him by
Margaret Williams and made critical errors in his first witness statement of
8th December 2008. This was entirely Beagent's own fault.
To the profound concern of the Claimants and all their advisors, the
Claimants' lawyers decided to ignore the 19 witness statements submitted at
the last minute by NICE and the witness statement and exhibits of Stephen
Hocking. The Claimants and their advisors urged their lawyers that it was
imperative to address the issues they contained but their barrister, Jeremy
Hyam, advised against doing so.
At the 11th hour, NICE issued very serious threats against both Jamie
Beagent and Jeremy Hyam to the extent that, on the first day of the hearing
and, without any discussion whatsoever with the Claimants or their advisors,
they decided to withdraw a large portion of the Claimants' evidence against
NICE and to apologise to the Court and to NICE. The Claimants and their
advisors believe this decision cost them the case which then had no hope of
succeeding.
As a consequence, in April 2009 a substantial complaint was served upon both
Jamie Beagent and Jeremy Hyam, which is currently before the Legal
Complaints Service and the Bar Council Standards Board and is the subject of
on-going action.
29th July 2009
--> Read more...
http://www.meaction uk.org.uk/ Statement_ re_videos_ by_MH.htm
STATEMENT FROM PROFESSOR MALCOLM HOOPER
I am dismayed by the YouTube attacks on Margaret Williams and wish to place
on public record that to my certain knowledge they are both erroneous and
defamatory. Those making these unfounded accusations are doing a great
disservice to the whole ME community.
People have a right to know the facts. Margaret Williams does occasionally
use and has published material using the pseudonym Julia Hamilton.
The exhibits to the witness statement of NICE's solicitor Stephen Hocking
from Beachcroft LLP in relation to NICE's allegations about Julia Hamilton
are also seriously erroneous.
Using the name Julia Hamilton, Margaret Williams did indeed contact NICE and
the Legal Services Commission with a legitimate request for information that
was in the public interest, but she did not say that she worked for either
the LSC or for Leigh Day & Co. She did, however, say she was working with
Leigh Day & Co, a fact confirmed by them on 9th February 2009 when Jamie
Beagent wrote to her saying: "Your role and involvement. .in the legal
proceedings is perfectly proper".
The failure to redact this erroneous information before the Court was
entirely the fault of the lawyers involved and was not due to Margaret
Williams or any other advisors to the Claimants.
Erroneous information has now entered the public domain and subsequently
been used to mount misconceived and unjustified attacks on Margaret
Williams' privacy and character. Those making these attacks are ignorant of
all the facts of the case and are acting maliciously.
The alleged misrepresentation of quotations from NICE's witness Professor
Anthony Pinching as set out in Beagent's first witness statement (which
attracted criticism from the Judge) lies with Beagent, not with Margaret
Williams. Beagent chose not to heed the detailed quotations sent to him by
Margaret Williams and made critical errors in his first witness statement of
8th December 2008. This was entirely Beagent's own fault.
To the profound concern of the Claimants and all their advisors, the
Claimants' lawyers decided to ignore the 19 witness statements submitted at
the last minute by NICE and the witness statement and exhibits of Stephen
Hocking. The Claimants and their advisors urged their lawyers that it was
imperative to address the issues they contained but their barrister, Jeremy
Hyam, advised against doing so.
At the 11th hour, NICE issued very serious threats against both Jamie
Beagent and Jeremy Hyam to the extent that, on the first day of the hearing
and, without any discussion whatsoever with the Claimants or their advisors,
they decided to withdraw a large portion of the Claimants' evidence against
NICE and to apologise to the Court and to NICE. The Claimants and their
advisors believe this decision cost them the case which then had no hope of
succeeding.
As a consequence, in April 2009 a substantial complaint was served upon both
Jamie Beagent and Jeremy Hyam, which is currently before the Legal
Complaints Service and the Bar Council Standards Board and is the subject of
on-going action.
29th July 2009
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Swine Flu Questions and Answers
MAY BE REPOSTED
Version 3 of the latest updated information on swine flu in a Question and
Answer format can be found on the home page of the MEA website:
http://www.meassoci ation.org. uk >> quick links section on the home page
Swine flu and ME/CFS - latest advice (27 July) from the ME Association
SWINE FLU AND ME/CFS: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Version 3)
The ME Association continues to receive a wide variety of questions about
swine flu (influenza A virus H1N1) and how the pandemic might affect people
with ME/CFS.
The numbers affected in the UK are now rising quite rapidly - the current
official figure is around 100,000 cases - but the true total figure is
almost certainly much higher.
The most common age group to be affected is children under the age of 14.
Figures are much lower in the over 65s - suggesting a degree of resistance
here.
The situation regarding management is constantly changing - so this is our
current advice and information on the most common questions we are
receiving.
We will be updating this website posting at regular intervals to take
account of the latest official medical advice from the Dept of Health, as
well as feedback received from people with ME/CFS.
1 Are people with ME/CFS more at risk of catching swine flu?
Overall, the answer is probably no. However, if you belong to a sub-group
who easily pick up infections, especially coughs, colds and flu-like
infections, then the risk of catching swine flu may well be slightly higher
than for normal healthy people.
2 Can children and adolescents catch swine flu?
Yes, and the symptom pattern appears to be similar to that seen in adults
(see question 8). There are now some serious cases involving children -
whose immune systems obviously have no natural resistance to this infection.
Consequently, the use of antiviral medication (ieTamiflu) will also need to
be considered in this age group. Infected children should obviously remain
off school/college but the Dept of Health is not normally recommending the
closure of schools where cases exist. However, some experts are now
questioning whether schools and colleges, especially in high risk areas,
should remain closed after the summer holidays - as they are an important
route of transmission in this age group.
3 How can I avoid catching swine flu?
In very simple terms, the more people you come in contact with the higher
the risk - especially people who are coughing or sneezing. The highly
contagious time for people who have the virus is around the time when they
have first have symptoms. So try to keep away from crowded public areas and
public transport, including aeroplanes - if it's not really necessary. This
is particularly important if you have an 'at risk' condition (see point 7)
as well. Simple avoidance measures and hand washing will help to reduce the
risk but you cannot eliminate risk completely. Coughing and sneezing also
spreads viral droplets onto hard surfaces such as door handles, keyboards
and phones - where they can remain infective for up to 24 hours. This is
another important form of transmission. Wearing a cheap face mask isn't
thought to be a very effective form of protection!
People in high risk groups (see point 7), especially those with
respiratory/ lung disease, must make sure that their symptoms are under good
control, and that any chest infection is promptly treated. And stop smoking
if you do!
4 How can I build up my resistance to catching swine flu?
The media is full of advice from 'health experts' about how to 'boost your
immune system' using vitamin C, Echinacea and all kinds of expensive
supplements. However, there is no sound scientific evidence to show that
these products make any real difference.
5 How dangerous is swine flu?
At present, the virus appears to be of similar virulence to any other type
of flu virus - but it may be causing more severe respiratory symptoms in
some people. So the vast majority of people are experiencing a relatively
mild illness. If the virus starts to mutate (ie swap or change its genetic
make up) and different strains emerge then the situation could become more
serious quite quickly. As with any other flu like virus, there are going to
be occasional cases where perfectly healthy people develop severe
complications (such as pneumonia). People with 'at risk illnesses' - such as
asthma or cancer - are more likely to develop potentially serious
complications. This is the reality of any infectious disease.
6 Are people with ME/CFS more at risk of developing complications from
swine flu?
Overall, there is no evidence to indicate that people with ME/CFS are more
at risk from developing the serious complications that can occasionally
occur with swine flu. However, those who are more severely affected,
especially anyone who is bed-bound or prone to chest infections, may be more
at risk from respiratory complications. And as many people with ME/CFS
experience a relapse or exacerbation in symptoms whenever they catch a viral
infection, an episode of swine flu is highly likely to make ME/CFS worse.
7 Does it make any difference if you have other medical conditions?
Yes, it can make a significant difference. Because swine flu is an
infection that predominantly affects the respiratory tract/lungs, those with
any form of respiratory disease - asthma, chronic bronchitis and
COPD/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in particular - are more at risk
from developing potentially serious respiratory complications. So if you
already have a chronic lung disease, it's important to make sure that you
are controlling symptoms with medication as well as possible.
Other illnesses and situations that increase the likelihood of serious
complications include:
* diabetes
* liver and kidney disease
* chronic neurological disease that affects respiratory function
* heart disease
* immune system deficiency caused by cancer, leukaemia, and drugs such
as steroids
* pregnancy, - especially during the third trimester - where the
immune system is naturally suppressed
* young children under 5
* the over 65s - although people over the age of 60 may have some
partial immunity to the virus
Although a variety of immune system abnormalities can occur in ME/CFS, these
are not usually consistent with the sort of immune system deficiency that
makes people much more susceptible to this type of infection.
8 What are the main symptoms of swine flu?
At present, swine flu tends to present with an acute onset with some or all
of these typical flu like symptoms:
* a sudden onset of fever - 38 degrees centigrade or over (but not
always present)
* cough (can be dry) or shortness of breath
* headache
* sore throat
* sneezing and/or runny nose
* aching muscles
* loss of appetite
* diarrhoea
But this picture may change if the virus mutates and new strains emerge.
You can do a very helpful symptom check on www.nhs.uk <http://www.nhs. uk/> .
9 How can you tell the difference between ME/CFS flu-like symptoms and
swine flu?
This may not always be easy as some of the symptoms clearly overlap. But
swine flu should always be considered where there is a new or sudden onset
of flu-like symptoms - especially if this includes sneezing and cold-like
symptoms, respiratory symptoms or a cough, and a definite fever. The key
advice here is to trust your instinct - if something different with flu-like
symptoms is clearly happening seek medical advice.
It's worth noting that a variety of plant pollens can cause sneezing,
coughing and other hay fever type symptoms at this time of year - which may
add to the confusion over diagnosis.
10 Can swine flu trigger ME/CFS in previously healthy people?
As infections are a very common trigger for ME/CFS, and we know that
ordinary flu can trigger ME/CFS, the answer is almost certainly yes. The
MEA contributed to a very helpful article in The Guardian on this issue::
http://www.guardian .co.uk/world/ 2009/jul/ 21/swine- flu-recovery- tips
11 What should I do if I have new flu-like symptoms that do not seem like
ME/CFS?
For the vast majority of people an episode of swine flu will not be that all
that different from any other type of flu. This can be normally treated at
home with rest, plenty of fluids and painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen).
Swine flu symptoms tend to last for no more than a week.
THE NATIONAL PANDEMIC FLU SERVICE
The Department of Health has now set up a specific National Pandemic Flu
Service telephone helpline and website to give diagnostic advice and take
some of the pressure off GPs.
Telephone helpline: 0800 1 513 100 (treatment) and 0800 1 513 513
(information) .
Please note that this service is not manned by health professionals - a
decision on whether to issue Tamiflu will be made on your answers to a check
list of symptoms. If you are not happy with the advice being given you
should speak to your GP.
NPFS website: www.direct.gov. uk/pandemicflu
You can also obtain information by:
* calling your GP - who should be able to give a diagnosis over the
phone rather than you visiting the surgery. This is because visits to a
surgery by people with the infection will help to spread the infection to
vulnerable people in the waiting rooms who have illnesses such as cancer
* calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (England)
* calling NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 (Scotland)
* calling NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647
* calling 0800 0514 142 (in Northern Ireland)
If symptoms are serious (ie breathing difficulties; drowsiness) or
deteriorating, and you are unable to obtain advice from the above, you
should phone the accident and emergency department at your local hospital.
12 What are Tamiflu and Relenza?
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an effective antiviral drug that works by reducing
the replication of the virus. Tamiflu will :
* relieve symptoms
* slightly shorten the duration of symptoms and infectivity
* reduce the chances of serious complications such as pneumonia
If you have an illness such as asthma that puts you at increased risk of
developing complications from swine flu it's important to start taking
Tamiflu as soon as possible. To be effective the drug really needs to be
used within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Antiviral drugs are being
given out by doctors in relation to individual clinical circumstances - they
are not necessary in every case. And they are not normally being given as a
prophylactic/ preventative measure to contacts of cases - unless there are
special circumstances.
Tamiflu side-effects can include nausea, which appears to be the most
common. Nausea can be reduced by taking the drug with or immediately after
food, and drinking some water. Other possible side-effects include
vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue, insomnia,
dizziness, conjunctivitis, epistaxis (nose bleed) and a rash. Very rare but
more serious side-effects include hepatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic
epidermal necrolysis and neurospychiatric disorders. The drug should not be
taken by people with kidney disease and not normally during pregnancy (where
safety remains uncertain). It can be given to children. A liquid
preparation is available for children and people who cannot take tablets...
Relenza (zanamivir) is another antiviral drug. This drug is inhaled and is
suitable for use in pregnancy. However, it can cause bronchospasm (airways
spasm), urticaria and skin rashes. It needs to be used with caution in
anyone with asthma and lung disease.
13 Should people with ME/CFS take Tamiflu?
The simple answer at present is probably yes - but this is clearly a
decision that has to be made in relation to individual circumstances.
Tamiflu appears to be a generally safe and effective treatment with a low
level of side-effects. So Tamiflu is a drug that should be seriously
considered when a person with ME/CFS develops swine flu, or has symptoms
suggestive of swine flu - the main reason for use being that the swine flu
infection could well cause an exacerbation of ME/CFS.
14 How do I get Tamiflu?
Your GP can issue a prescription.
Or you obtain a diagnosis from the National Pandemic Flu Service - a member
of staff will issue you with a reference number. This is then taken -
preferably by someone who is healthy - to a pharmacy, or other collection
centre, where the drug will be dispensed.
15 When will a swine flu vaccine be available?
Now that the genetic make-up of the virus has been identified, scientists
are rapidly developing a vaccine that will be based on a killed virus. The
latest information we have is that this new vaccine may be available from
September or October onwards once it is licensed for use - probably without
all the normal very strict pre-marketing checks for safety. Once the
vaccine is ready for use (two doses will be required), and we know more
about it, we will issue further information in relation to its use in
people with ME/CFS. This will take account of the fact that ordinary flu
vaccine can sometimes cause an exacerbation or relapse of ME/CFS symptoms.
At the start of mass vaccination, top priority will obviously be given to
people with 'at risk' health conditions.
16 What is the situation regarding foreign travel?
If you are planning to travel abroad, check with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office travel advice at: www.fco.gov. uk/travel or call 0845 850
2829. Do not travel abroad if you have symptoms suggestive of swine flu.
Make sure your travel insurance is up to date and you have an up to date
European Health Insurance Card (this used to be an E111) - which can be
obtained through an on-line application and should be back within a week.
This card will entitle you to the same standard of state health care that
you would normally receive under the NHS in the UK. If you cancel a trip
due to having swine flu, you should be covered by your travel insurance
policy - although some policies do have an exclusion clause relating to
pandemics. If you cancel because you are worried about swine flu, it's
unlikely that you will be covered for any financial losses.
It's worth noting that the UK is regarded as a high risk zone for swine flu
and some countries have now introduced thermal scanning at airports. This
could mean that people travelling with a fever or other flu like symptoms
will find themselves being refused, or quarantined on arrival. Some airlines
are now banning people with swine flu symptoms from travelling.
Most European countries have health facilities that are up to date with
swine flu management and Tamiflu may/should be available - if required. But
you do need to consider what would happen if you intending to travel to a
country with sub standard health facilities. Your GP may be willing to
prescribe Tamiflu on a 'just in case' basis if you want to take some with
you. And if you already have any lung problems, it's worth asking your GP
if he will prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxycillin for use
abroad in case you develop a chest infection.
FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE WITH ME/CFS WHO HAVE HAD SWINE FLU
Feedback so far is from four people with ME/CFS who have had swine flu. All
four have had several swine flu symptoms and three have been quite poorly
but without any serious complications. One has had a relatively mild
illness. They are all recovering slowly. Two have taken Tamiflu with
nausea being reported by both as a side effect.
PREPARING FOR SWINE FLU
The Dept of Health recommends that everyone should have a network of 'flu
friends' in place who could help out if you fall ill. This is obviously
going to be far more important if you live alone or are housebound.
YOUR FEEDBACK ON SWINE FLU
Please continue to let us know via ME Connect (
meconnect@meassocia tion.org. uk This email address is being protected from
spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) if you want to draw
anything to our attention about swine flu or have a query/comment that can
be added to the next MEA website update. In particular, we want to hear
from people who have had swine flu and/or taken Tamiflu.
We hope you find this information helpful and practical.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, The ME Association
27 July 2009
ENDS
--> Read more...
Version 3 of the latest updated information on swine flu in a Question and
Answer format can be found on the home page of the MEA website:
http://www.meassoci ation.org. uk >> quick links section on the home page
Swine flu and ME/CFS - latest advice (27 July) from the ME Association
SWINE FLU AND ME/CFS: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Version 3)
The ME Association continues to receive a wide variety of questions about
swine flu (influenza A virus H1N1) and how the pandemic might affect people
with ME/CFS.
The numbers affected in the UK are now rising quite rapidly - the current
official figure is around 100,000 cases - but the true total figure is
almost certainly much higher.
The most common age group to be affected is children under the age of 14.
Figures are much lower in the over 65s - suggesting a degree of resistance
here.
The situation regarding management is constantly changing - so this is our
current advice and information on the most common questions we are
receiving.
We will be updating this website posting at regular intervals to take
account of the latest official medical advice from the Dept of Health, as
well as feedback received from people with ME/CFS.
1 Are people with ME/CFS more at risk of catching swine flu?
Overall, the answer is probably no. However, if you belong to a sub-group
who easily pick up infections, especially coughs, colds and flu-like
infections, then the risk of catching swine flu may well be slightly higher
than for normal healthy people.
2 Can children and adolescents catch swine flu?
Yes, and the symptom pattern appears to be similar to that seen in adults
(see question 8). There are now some serious cases involving children -
whose immune systems obviously have no natural resistance to this infection.
Consequently, the use of antiviral medication (ieTamiflu) will also need to
be considered in this age group. Infected children should obviously remain
off school/college but the Dept of Health is not normally recommending the
closure of schools where cases exist. However, some experts are now
questioning whether schools and colleges, especially in high risk areas,
should remain closed after the summer holidays - as they are an important
route of transmission in this age group.
3 How can I avoid catching swine flu?
In very simple terms, the more people you come in contact with the higher
the risk - especially people who are coughing or sneezing. The highly
contagious time for people who have the virus is around the time when they
have first have symptoms. So try to keep away from crowded public areas and
public transport, including aeroplanes - if it's not really necessary. This
is particularly important if you have an 'at risk' condition (see point 7)
as well. Simple avoidance measures and hand washing will help to reduce the
risk but you cannot eliminate risk completely. Coughing and sneezing also
spreads viral droplets onto hard surfaces such as door handles, keyboards
and phones - where they can remain infective for up to 24 hours. This is
another important form of transmission. Wearing a cheap face mask isn't
thought to be a very effective form of protection!
People in high risk groups (see point 7), especially those with
respiratory/ lung disease, must make sure that their symptoms are under good
control, and that any chest infection is promptly treated. And stop smoking
if you do!
4 How can I build up my resistance to catching swine flu?
The media is full of advice from 'health experts' about how to 'boost your
immune system' using vitamin C, Echinacea and all kinds of expensive
supplements. However, there is no sound scientific evidence to show that
these products make any real difference.
5 How dangerous is swine flu?
At present, the virus appears to be of similar virulence to any other type
of flu virus - but it may be causing more severe respiratory symptoms in
some people. So the vast majority of people are experiencing a relatively
mild illness. If the virus starts to mutate (ie swap or change its genetic
make up) and different strains emerge then the situation could become more
serious quite quickly. As with any other flu like virus, there are going to
be occasional cases where perfectly healthy people develop severe
complications (such as pneumonia). People with 'at risk illnesses' - such as
asthma or cancer - are more likely to develop potentially serious
complications. This is the reality of any infectious disease.
6 Are people with ME/CFS more at risk of developing complications from
swine flu?
Overall, there is no evidence to indicate that people with ME/CFS are more
at risk from developing the serious complications that can occasionally
occur with swine flu. However, those who are more severely affected,
especially anyone who is bed-bound or prone to chest infections, may be more
at risk from respiratory complications. And as many people with ME/CFS
experience a relapse or exacerbation in symptoms whenever they catch a viral
infection, an episode of swine flu is highly likely to make ME/CFS worse.
7 Does it make any difference if you have other medical conditions?
Yes, it can make a significant difference. Because swine flu is an
infection that predominantly affects the respiratory tract/lungs, those with
any form of respiratory disease - asthma, chronic bronchitis and
COPD/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in particular - are more at risk
from developing potentially serious respiratory complications. So if you
already have a chronic lung disease, it's important to make sure that you
are controlling symptoms with medication as well as possible.
Other illnesses and situations that increase the likelihood of serious
complications include:
* diabetes
* liver and kidney disease
* chronic neurological disease that affects respiratory function
* heart disease
* immune system deficiency caused by cancer, leukaemia, and drugs such
as steroids
* pregnancy, - especially during the third trimester - where the
immune system is naturally suppressed
* young children under 5
* the over 65s - although people over the age of 60 may have some
partial immunity to the virus
Although a variety of immune system abnormalities can occur in ME/CFS, these
are not usually consistent with the sort of immune system deficiency that
makes people much more susceptible to this type of infection.
8 What are the main symptoms of swine flu?
At present, swine flu tends to present with an acute onset with some or all
of these typical flu like symptoms:
* a sudden onset of fever - 38 degrees centigrade or over (but not
always present)
* cough (can be dry) or shortness of breath
* headache
* sore throat
* sneezing and/or runny nose
* aching muscles
* loss of appetite
* diarrhoea
But this picture may change if the virus mutates and new strains emerge.
You can do a very helpful symptom check on www.nhs.uk <http://www.nhs. uk/> .
9 How can you tell the difference between ME/CFS flu-like symptoms and
swine flu?
This may not always be easy as some of the symptoms clearly overlap. But
swine flu should always be considered where there is a new or sudden onset
of flu-like symptoms - especially if this includes sneezing and cold-like
symptoms, respiratory symptoms or a cough, and a definite fever. The key
advice here is to trust your instinct - if something different with flu-like
symptoms is clearly happening seek medical advice.
It's worth noting that a variety of plant pollens can cause sneezing,
coughing and other hay fever type symptoms at this time of year - which may
add to the confusion over diagnosis.
10 Can swine flu trigger ME/CFS in previously healthy people?
As infections are a very common trigger for ME/CFS, and we know that
ordinary flu can trigger ME/CFS, the answer is almost certainly yes. The
MEA contributed to a very helpful article in The Guardian on this issue::
http://www.guardian .co.uk/world/ 2009/jul/ 21/swine- flu-recovery- tips
11 What should I do if I have new flu-like symptoms that do not seem like
ME/CFS?
For the vast majority of people an episode of swine flu will not be that all
that different from any other type of flu. This can be normally treated at
home with rest, plenty of fluids and painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen).
Swine flu symptoms tend to last for no more than a week.
THE NATIONAL PANDEMIC FLU SERVICE
The Department of Health has now set up a specific National Pandemic Flu
Service telephone helpline and website to give diagnostic advice and take
some of the pressure off GPs.
Telephone helpline: 0800 1 513 100 (treatment) and 0800 1 513 513
(information) .
Please note that this service is not manned by health professionals - a
decision on whether to issue Tamiflu will be made on your answers to a check
list of symptoms. If you are not happy with the advice being given you
should speak to your GP.
NPFS website: www.direct.gov. uk/pandemicflu
You can also obtain information by:
* calling your GP - who should be able to give a diagnosis over the
phone rather than you visiting the surgery. This is because visits to a
surgery by people with the infection will help to spread the infection to
vulnerable people in the waiting rooms who have illnesses such as cancer
* calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (England)
* calling NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 (Scotland)
* calling NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647
* calling 0800 0514 142 (in Northern Ireland)
If symptoms are serious (ie breathing difficulties; drowsiness) or
deteriorating, and you are unable to obtain advice from the above, you
should phone the accident and emergency department at your local hospital.
12 What are Tamiflu and Relenza?
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an effective antiviral drug that works by reducing
the replication of the virus. Tamiflu will :
* relieve symptoms
* slightly shorten the duration of symptoms and infectivity
* reduce the chances of serious complications such as pneumonia
If you have an illness such as asthma that puts you at increased risk of
developing complications from swine flu it's important to start taking
Tamiflu as soon as possible. To be effective the drug really needs to be
used within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Antiviral drugs are being
given out by doctors in relation to individual clinical circumstances - they
are not necessary in every case. And they are not normally being given as a
prophylactic/ preventative measure to contacts of cases - unless there are
special circumstances.
Tamiflu side-effects can include nausea, which appears to be the most
common. Nausea can be reduced by taking the drug with or immediately after
food, and drinking some water. Other possible side-effects include
vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue, insomnia,
dizziness, conjunctivitis, epistaxis (nose bleed) and a rash. Very rare but
more serious side-effects include hepatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic
epidermal necrolysis and neurospychiatric disorders. The drug should not be
taken by people with kidney disease and not normally during pregnancy (where
safety remains uncertain). It can be given to children. A liquid
preparation is available for children and people who cannot take tablets...
Relenza (zanamivir) is another antiviral drug. This drug is inhaled and is
suitable for use in pregnancy. However, it can cause bronchospasm (airways
spasm), urticaria and skin rashes. It needs to be used with caution in
anyone with asthma and lung disease.
13 Should people with ME/CFS take Tamiflu?
The simple answer at present is probably yes - but this is clearly a
decision that has to be made in relation to individual circumstances.
Tamiflu appears to be a generally safe and effective treatment with a low
level of side-effects. So Tamiflu is a drug that should be seriously
considered when a person with ME/CFS develops swine flu, or has symptoms
suggestive of swine flu - the main reason for use being that the swine flu
infection could well cause an exacerbation of ME/CFS.
14 How do I get Tamiflu?
Your GP can issue a prescription.
Or you obtain a diagnosis from the National Pandemic Flu Service - a member
of staff will issue you with a reference number. This is then taken -
preferably by someone who is healthy - to a pharmacy, or other collection
centre, where the drug will be dispensed.
15 When will a swine flu vaccine be available?
Now that the genetic make-up of the virus has been identified, scientists
are rapidly developing a vaccine that will be based on a killed virus. The
latest information we have is that this new vaccine may be available from
September or October onwards once it is licensed for use - probably without
all the normal very strict pre-marketing checks for safety. Once the
vaccine is ready for use (two doses will be required), and we know more
about it, we will issue further information in relation to its use in
people with ME/CFS. This will take account of the fact that ordinary flu
vaccine can sometimes cause an exacerbation or relapse of ME/CFS symptoms.
At the start of mass vaccination, top priority will obviously be given to
people with 'at risk' health conditions.
16 What is the situation regarding foreign travel?
If you are planning to travel abroad, check with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office travel advice at: www.fco.gov. uk/travel or call 0845 850
2829. Do not travel abroad if you have symptoms suggestive of swine flu.
Make sure your travel insurance is up to date and you have an up to date
European Health Insurance Card (this used to be an E111) - which can be
obtained through an on-line application and should be back within a week.
This card will entitle you to the same standard of state health care that
you would normally receive under the NHS in the UK. If you cancel a trip
due to having swine flu, you should be covered by your travel insurance
policy - although some policies do have an exclusion clause relating to
pandemics. If you cancel because you are worried about swine flu, it's
unlikely that you will be covered for any financial losses.
It's worth noting that the UK is regarded as a high risk zone for swine flu
and some countries have now introduced thermal scanning at airports. This
could mean that people travelling with a fever or other flu like symptoms
will find themselves being refused, or quarantined on arrival. Some airlines
are now banning people with swine flu symptoms from travelling.
Most European countries have health facilities that are up to date with
swine flu management and Tamiflu may/should be available - if required. But
you do need to consider what would happen if you intending to travel to a
country with sub standard health facilities. Your GP may be willing to
prescribe Tamiflu on a 'just in case' basis if you want to take some with
you. And if you already have any lung problems, it's worth asking your GP
if he will prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxycillin for use
abroad in case you develop a chest infection.
FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE WITH ME/CFS WHO HAVE HAD SWINE FLU
Feedback so far is from four people with ME/CFS who have had swine flu. All
four have had several swine flu symptoms and three have been quite poorly
but without any serious complications. One has had a relatively mild
illness. They are all recovering slowly. Two have taken Tamiflu with
nausea being reported by both as a side effect.
PREPARING FOR SWINE FLU
The Dept of Health recommends that everyone should have a network of 'flu
friends' in place who could help out if you fall ill. This is obviously
going to be far more important if you live alone or are housebound.
YOUR FEEDBACK ON SWINE FLU
Please continue to let us know via ME Connect (
meconnect@meassocia tion.org. uk This email address is being protected from
spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) if you want to draw
anything to our attention about swine flu or have a query/comment that can
be added to the next MEA website update. In particular, we want to hear
from people who have had swine flu and/or taken Tamiflu.
We hope you find this information helpful and practical.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, The ME Association
27 July 2009
ENDS
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Swine Flu Exposed
PERMISSION TO REPOST
Scroll down the website to read much more news on
One Click or go to the News Archives
http://www.theonecl ickgroup. co.uk/news. php
SUMMARY
* ONE CLICK ON SWINE FLU
http://tinyurl. com/nwf3yf
LOGO
Why The Dangerous And Useless Tamiflu Drug Is Being Peddled,
The Swine Flu Vaccine Exposed,
Common Sense Practical Medical Information On Swine Flu Published
Let's all get real about Swine Flu. The hysteria
generated by this illness is entirely contrived
and is the disgraceful recession proof get out card
of the pharmaceutical industry. One Click publishes
the evidence as to why the government is handing out
the useless and dangerous Tamiflu drug like sweeties
to the unsuspecting population. We further expose the
dangers of the Swine Flu vaccine and show how this
'pandemic' has been manipulated by the pharmaceutical
industry, the WHO and governments around the world
that are orchestrating this hysteria to serve their
own financial and political purposes. One Click
publishes medical information on Swine Flu from the
eminent Dr Sarah Myhill and comments: "Try to apply
common sense and get on with your lives, despite how
governments and the pharmaceutical industry are
attempting to wreck them. It is invariably how
governments mishandle `pandemics' through fear
marketing that causes the chaos, not the illness
itself."
Information Release, The One Click Group
Related Links:
* Legal Immunity For Swine Flu Vaccine Manufacturers - David Salisbury Questioned
Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press/The One Click Group
http://tinyurl. com/l5dkux
* US reviews risks of Tamiflu after 12 children die
Jeremy Laurance, The Independent
http://tinyurl. com/lrywua
* We all love Tamiflu
The Jobbing Doctor
http://tinyurl. com/lxxsny
* Swine flu vaccine to be cleared after five-day trial
Jon Ungoed-Thomas, Sunday Times
http://tinyurl. com/lzyjac
* Baxter Files Swine Flu Vaccine Patent A Year Ahead Of Outbreak
Lara, Health Advocate
http://tinyurl. com/lugoca
* Baxter - Live Bird Flu Virus Shipped To 18 Countries As Vaccine
The Right Perspective - New York City
http://tinyurl. com/bfyduc
* The Art Of Endeavoring To Swine Flu Deceive
A. True Ott, PhD, ND, Vaccine Injury Coalition
http://tinyurl. com/nsybuc
* SWINE FLU
Patient Information
Dr Sarah Myhill
http://tinyurl. com/mvbyae
* UK Care Chief Suspended As Social Workers Continue To Pose Risk To The Public
http://tinyurl. com/mf2td8
PHOTO
Health Secretary Andy Burnham has ordered a review
of the regulator
Social care chief Mike Wardle has been suspended
over a complaints backlog that meant social workers
continued to practise despite being a potential public
risk. The health secretary said General Social Care
Council head had been replaced while the "matter of
extreme concern" was investigated. Of a backlog of
203 complaints against social workers, more than 20
involved claims suggesting risk to the public. Liberal
Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said the situation
was an embarrassment for the government and "another
example of a poorly-run quango".
BBC NEWS
Related Links:
* The Consensus Report
Family Law Reform
http://tinyurl. com/eaxml
* Social Worker Struck Off After Child Sex Offences
Editorial, Lynn News
http://tinyurl. com/ksl4wg
* UK NHS Database - Open Season For Paedophiles, Estranged Spouses, Social Workers Et Al
Dave Blackhurst, The Sentinel
http://tinyurl. com/n8z3aw
* The Terrifying World Of Vaccine Adjuvants
http://tinyurl. com/lu6ch3
PHOTO
For decades, vaccine developers have been tinkering
with various substances to trick the body into heightened
immune responses. Adjuvants can break "tolerance", meaning
they can disable the immune system to the degree that
it loses its ability to distinguish what is "self" from
what is foreign. An oil based adjuvant, squalene has
been known for decades to cause severe autoimmune
diseases in laboratory animals. The concept of
stimulating a hyperactive immune response by using
oil-based adjuvants has clearly backfired since we now
know that the stronger the antigenic response, the more
damaging the adjuvant itself is to the normal functioning
of the brain and nervous system. The precedent for mass
medical experimentation via an ever increasing recommended
vaccine schedule has been set. We can now predict the grim
future of mankind: an epidemic of neurological disorders
and autoimmune diseases never before imagined.
Edda West, VRAN - Vaccination Risk Awareness Network
Related Links:
* Legal Immunity For Swine Flu Vaccine Manufacturers - David Salisbury Questioned
Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press/The One Click Group
http://tinyurl. com/l5dkux
* The Art Of Endeavoring To Swine Flu Deceive
A. True Ott, PhD, ND, Vaccine Injury Coalition
http://tinyurl. com/nsybuc
END SUMMARY
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SUMMARY
* ONE CLICK ON SWINE FLU
http://tinyurl. com/nwf3yf
LOGO
Why The Dangerous And Useless Tamiflu Drug Is Being Peddled,
The Swine Flu Vaccine Exposed,
Common Sense Practical Medical Information On Swine Flu Published
Let's all get real about Swine Flu. The hysteria
generated by this illness is entirely contrived
and is the disgraceful recession proof get out card
of the pharmaceutical industry. One Click publishes
the evidence as to why the government is handing out
the useless and dangerous Tamiflu drug like sweeties
to the unsuspecting population. We further expose the
dangers of the Swine Flu vaccine and show how this
'pandemic' has been manipulated by the pharmaceutical
industry, the WHO and governments around the world
that are orchestrating this hysteria to serve their
own financial and political purposes. One Click
publishes medical information on Swine Flu from the
eminent Dr Sarah Myhill and comments: "Try to apply
common sense and get on with your lives, despite how
governments and the pharmaceutical industry are
attempting to wreck them. It is invariably how
governments mishandle `pandemics' through fear
marketing that causes the chaos, not the illness
itself."
Information Release, The One Click Group
Related Links:
* Legal Immunity For Swine Flu Vaccine Manufacturers - David Salisbury Questioned
Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press/The One Click Group
http://tinyurl. com/l5dkux
* US reviews risks of Tamiflu after 12 children die
Jeremy Laurance, The Independent
http://tinyurl. com/lrywua
* We all love Tamiflu
The Jobbing Doctor
http://tinyurl. com/lxxsny
* Swine flu vaccine to be cleared after five-day trial
Jon Ungoed-Thomas, Sunday Times
http://tinyurl. com/lzyjac
* Baxter Files Swine Flu Vaccine Patent A Year Ahead Of Outbreak
Lara, Health Advocate
http://tinyurl. com/lugoca
* Baxter - Live Bird Flu Virus Shipped To 18 Countries As Vaccine
The Right Perspective - New York City
http://tinyurl. com/bfyduc
* The Art Of Endeavoring To Swine Flu Deceive
A. True Ott, PhD, ND, Vaccine Injury Coalition
http://tinyurl. com/nsybuc
* SWINE FLU
Patient Information
Dr Sarah Myhill
http://tinyurl. com/mvbyae
* UK Care Chief Suspended As Social Workers Continue To Pose Risk To The Public
http://tinyurl. com/mf2td8
PHOTO
Health Secretary Andy Burnham has ordered a review
of the regulator
Social care chief Mike Wardle has been suspended
over a complaints backlog that meant social workers
continued to practise despite being a potential public
risk. The health secretary said General Social Care
Council head had been replaced while the "matter of
extreme concern" was investigated. Of a backlog of
203 complaints against social workers, more than 20
involved claims suggesting risk to the public. Liberal
Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said the situation
was an embarrassment for the government and "another
example of a poorly-run quango".
BBC NEWS
Related Links:
* The Consensus Report
Family Law Reform
http://tinyurl. com/eaxml
* Social Worker Struck Off After Child Sex Offences
Editorial, Lynn News
http://tinyurl. com/ksl4wg
* UK NHS Database - Open Season For Paedophiles, Estranged Spouses, Social Workers Et Al
Dave Blackhurst, The Sentinel
http://tinyurl. com/n8z3aw
* The Terrifying World Of Vaccine Adjuvants
http://tinyurl. com/lu6ch3
PHOTO
For decades, vaccine developers have been tinkering
with various substances to trick the body into heightened
immune responses. Adjuvants can break "tolerance", meaning
they can disable the immune system to the degree that
it loses its ability to distinguish what is "self" from
what is foreign. An oil based adjuvant, squalene has
been known for decades to cause severe autoimmune
diseases in laboratory animals. The concept of
stimulating a hyperactive immune response by using
oil-based adjuvants has clearly backfired since we now
know that the stronger the antigenic response, the more
damaging the adjuvant itself is to the normal functioning
of the brain and nervous system. The precedent for mass
medical experimentation via an ever increasing recommended
vaccine schedule has been set. We can now predict the grim
future of mankind: an epidemic of neurological disorders
and autoimmune diseases never before imagined.
Edda West, VRAN - Vaccination Risk Awareness Network
Related Links:
* Legal Immunity For Swine Flu Vaccine Manufacturers - David Salisbury Questioned
Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press/The One Click Group
http://tinyurl. com/l5dkux
* The Art Of Endeavoring To Swine Flu Deceive
A. True Ott, PhD, ND, Vaccine Injury Coalition
http://tinyurl. com/nsybuc
END SUMMARY
