Information for Staff and Students

What should I do if I think I have swine flu?

• If you are displaying flu-like symptoms you should not come to the University; you should seek medical advice by contacting your GP or NHS24 (08454 24 24 24) and should not return to the University until you are symptom free.
• In line with current advice, students should inform any absence to their Year Tutor or Programme Leader.  Nursing students on placement should continue to report any absence as normal.  We will keep this under review.
• Students in University accommodation should also follow the above advice.  In addition you should stay in your room pending further advice.  You should bring this to the attention of Student Accommodation (0131 455 3713 or 3726).  Out with office hours, phone Security Control on 0131 455 4444.
• Staff must report their absence to their Line Manager or deputy as detailed in the Sickness Absence Reporting Procedure.
• In order that an up to date central record of absence may be kept, Line Managers or their deputies must report staff absence by email to Human Resources.

What can I do to protect myself and others from flu?

• Students are encouraged if they have not already done so to register with a local GP practice.  To find your nearest GP call the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88 or www.youredinburgh.info
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand-gel to reduce the spread of the virus from hand to face or to other people, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing and eating food.
• Anti-bacterial hand foam is being made available in seventy locations across the University as identified by an audit in time for the start of the next academic year.
• At home, clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Set up a network of ‘flu friends.  Flu friends are friends/neighbours/relatives who can help you if you become ill so that you don’t have to leave home to collect medicines, food and other supplies.  It is a good idea to identify several ‘Flu Friends’ just in case one of them is ill when needed, but having at least one is very important.
• Familiarise yourself with the content of the Government leaflet on flu, alternative languages and formats are available.
• You can also watch the video that explains how the infection is spread and what you can do to prevent swine flu spreading on the NHS 24 website.

I am an expectant mother and/or I have an underlying health condition(s) which makes me most vulnerable from swine flu.  What should I do?

• You should pay particular attention to good hygiene, for example washing your hands frequently with soap and water or hand-gel to reduce the spread of the virus from hand to face.  Where possible avoid close contact that is for longer than one hour with anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• If you have any underlying health issues and/or are pregnant and feel that you may be more vulnerable to complications arising from swine flu you should consult your GP for advice. 
• As part of the existing New and Expectant Mothers Policy a risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person nominated by the Head of School/Service. 
• Further information and guidance on swine flu specifically for pregnant women is available via the following Department of Health Leaflet.
• Likewise a risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person nominated by the Head of School/Service for anyone who is considered to be most vulnerable from swine flu. 
• If the risk assessment identifies a significant risk then the Head of School/Service should contact Occupational Health, or Health and Safety for advice and further assessment. 

I am well but worried / I have been in close contact with a likely or confirmed case.  What should I do?

• If you are not displaying any flu-like symptoms you should come to the University as normal, even if you may have been in close contact with likely cases.
• If you have any underlying health issues or are pregnant and feel that you may be more vulnerable to complications arising from swine flu you should consult your GP for advice.
• Familiarise yourself with the content of the Government leaflet on flu, alternative languages and formats are available.
• If you do become unwell you should follow the actions listed at the question and answer for “What should I do if I think I have swine flu”.

I've read there is a vaccine for swine flu, who will receive it and when?

The University has no locus in decisions about whether or not individuals will be given vaccination; this is decided via public health authorities.  The vaccination programme in Scotland was launched on 21 October.  GPs will contact those eligible for the vaccine over the next few weeks to make an appointment to receive their jab.  The vaccine will initially be delivered to the following priority groups:

• People aged six months to 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
• All pregnant women
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
• Frontline health and social care workers

Most people will require a single dose of the vaccination but children under the age of ten will require two doses. 
The Scottish Government has advised that the H1N1 vaccination programme will run in tandem with the existing seasonal flu programme. It is important that people who are entitled to receive both vaccinations do so. The H1N1 vaccination will not give protection against seasonal flu or vice versa.  The Scottish Government are urging everyone who is eligible to make sure they get the jab. 

The first days of the vaccination programme will focus on hospitals, immunising frontline staff and long-term patients who fall into the at-risk groups and might otherwise miss their vaccination.  The vaccination programme will then move into the community and GPs will invite eligible patients to come forward to receive the jab. Patients should wait until their GP contacts them. 

The Scottish Government have also launched a Scottish Swine Flu Vaccination Helpline on 08000 28 28 16 where further information on H1N1 vaccination can be obtained.  A leaflet containing further information on the vaccination is also available. 

The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care are in close contact with the Scottish Government Health Department and NHS partners.  Additional information on vaccination for student nurses who are currently on placement is available on the School student portal.

What should I do if I miss a formal examination?

• Students are encouraged to contact their School as soon as possible if attendance at an examination becomes problematic.
• The University’s existing Mitigating Circumstances procedure should be used in the event of swine flu, or any other illness or personal circumstances, adversely affecting a student’s attendance at, or performance in, an assessment or examination.
• In line with our Mitigating Circumstances procedure, supporting documentary evidence such as a medical certificate, doctor’s letter or other third party evidence should be submitted along with a completed MC1 form, no later than 5 working days after the end of an examination diet.  In instances of suspected swine flu, a copy of a prescription for relevant medication will be accepted as documentary evidence should a medical practice be unwilling to issue a doctor’s certificate.

I need to take time off to care for a dependent with suspected/confirmed swine flu, what should I do?

Staff should make any request for special leave for caring responsibilities using the normal process. Options for working at home, or use of Time Off in Lieu should be discussed with line managers in line with normal procedures.

I am due to travel overseas on official University business, should I travel?

• All staff and students travelling outside the UK must complete a risk assessment prior to travel, in line with the Overseas Travel Policy. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are not currently advising against travel to any countries due to swine flu; however, this may change.
• It is therefore essential that when completing the travel risk assessment that you visit the FCO website to ascertain if there are any risks related to visiting your destination - including swine flu or whether the FCO is advising against travel. You must not travel if the FCO advise against it.
• If in any doubt the Insurance team within Procurement should be consulted. The responsibility for ensuring completion of the risk assessment rests with the Head of School / Director of Service who must also sign the completed risk assessment. Whilst the University’s healthcare and travel insurances are comprehensive, staff should note that cover only extends to official business travel and, for students, officially approved travel which is a required part of their course.
• Simple one-page guides explaining the process can be found at on the intranet at http://staff.napier.ac.uk/services/policycommunications/healthandsafety/policies/Pages/TravelPolicy.aspx .
• Travellers are reminded of the importance of good hygiene measures at all times including frequent hand washing and catching coughs and sneezes with a tissue.  Returning travellers should monitor their health closely for seven days following their trip and if they display any flu like symptoms they should contact their GP or NHS24 08454 24 24 24.
• Staff are reminded that video conferencing and conference calling facilities are available and should be considered as an alternative where possible.
  

I have a question that’s not answered here, where can I get more information? 

Email us at flu@napier.ac.uk.  However, please note that we are unable to offer medical advice and that under Data Protection legislation we will not normally disclose personal information about staff and students without their consent.