CONTINGENCY plans are in place to deal with an expected surge in swine flu cases in the autumn, Health bosses will be told today.

NHS South East Essex says it has well-rehearsed plans to cope with an increase in swine flu cases, including drafting in staff from Southend.gov.uk" target="_blank">Southend Council to man collection points for anti-viral drugs. Southend Hospital can also make 30 intensive care beds available and more if needed, but some surgery admissions would have to be cancelled.

The board of NHS South East Essex will also be told at its meeting today that swine flu vaccinations will be given from mid-October through local GPs.

Those who will receive it are those aged six months to 65 years in the seasonal flu “at risk” group, over-65s in at risk groups, pregnant women in the second and third trimester, those living with people whose immune system is reduced and health and social care workers delivering direct patient care.

Staff are also working with GP practises to support their swine flu plans and a group of dentists have received the necessary training and protective equipment to provide an emergency dental service to patients with swine flu if required.

The board meeting, at the New Mazenod Hall at St Peter’s Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh, will also be given an update on swine flu cases over the summer.

The trust opened its first antiviral collection point at Leigh Primary Care Centre on July 6 and it has been opening for 12 hours a day from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. The number of “flu friends” collecting antivirals steadily increased on a daily basis until early August, when numbers started to decline, but as winter approaches more cases are expected.

At weekends the antiviral collection point is moved to the St Luke’s Health Centre, in Pantile Avenue, Southend, which has a 24-hour walk in centre.

Dr Andrea Atherton, director of public health, said: “There are plans for a number of other antiviral collection points that could be opened to provide the necessary surge capacity if required later in the year.

“However, staffing of the current antiviral collection point at the peak of activity has proved to be a challenge within existing resources. A small number of temporary workers have been employed to support the PCT and community health staff in running the collection point.”