NSW:Govt considers stocking ambulances with meningococcal drugs

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2006
NSW:Govt considers stocking ambulances with meningococcal drugs

NSW Health Minister JOHN HATZISTERGOS has asked a panel reviewing the state's treatments
for meningococcal to speed up its inquiry .. after the disease claimed the lives of a
teenager and toddler in just two weeks.

A committee is looking at treatment procedures .. including a proposal to equip ambulances
with medication to give to suspected meningococcal patients.

But Mr HATZISTERGOS says ambulance treatment may not be beneficial.

He says it could lead to a potential delay in having the patient taken to hospital
and having access to intravenous antibiotics.







The deaths of three-year-old central coast boy CALLAN FITZPATRICK and 18-year-old Sydney
woman JEHAN NASSIF in the past two weeks have prompted the minister to asked for a quick
decision from the committee.

AAP RTV dmc/klw/es/bart

KEYWORD: MENINGOCOCCAL (SYDNEY)

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