Swine flu patient critically ill

A patient from Lanarkshire who is critically ill with swine flu is receiving specialist treatment in a hospital in Leicester...

The Scottish government said the patient was undergoing a procedure known as extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Glenfield Hospital in Leicester is the only place in the UK which offers the treatment, with just five beds.

In July another Scottish patient was flown to Sweden for ECMO.

The procedure involves a machine taking over the function of a patient's heart and lungs.

Pregnant mother Sharon Pentleton, 26, from Ayrshire made a full recovery after spending time in hospital in Stockholm.

No further details of the patient from Lanarkshire have been released.

Nine other patients with swine flu are being treated in hospital in Scotland.

The government agency, Health Protection Scotland, said the rate of consultations with GPs for flu-like illnesses has risen by almost 10% in the past week.

But it said while there have been a number of schools with higher than expected levels of absenteeism over the past week, levels were now returning to normal.

The health department estimated that 7,034 people have contracted the H1N1 virus in the past week, compared with 6,180 people in the previous seven days.

Since the start of the outbreak nine deaths have been linked with swine flu and 165 people in Scotland have been treated in hospital after contracting the virus.

Vaccination programme

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "We have seen the figures show a significant increase in the number of people consulting their GP with flu-like symptoms over the last few weeks.

"Today's figures show another increase in the number of people consulting their GP, an increase in the number of overall estimated cases and an increase in the proportion of samples testing positive for H1N1.

"The potential threat from H1N1 remains serious, even if it continues to be a relatively mild virus."

She added: "Vaccination is the best defence we have against the H1N1 virus and Scotland is preparing very well for the vaccination programme.

"Simple hygiene measures like frequent handwashing and using tissues can do a huge amount to help prevent flu spreading."

Source: BBC News Online, 24th September 2009