HEALTH trust directors have advised people to start making contingency plans for swine flu.

Mike Gogarty, pictured, director of public health and health policy for NHS North East Essex, said: “It is a demanding period and it is going to become more demanding. People need to start buddying up with neighbours and friends to keep the whole show on the road when they suffer from flu.”

He warned the PCT could be forced to make difficult decisions as the outbreak was placing an added strain on its resources.

Mr Gogarty added: “With swine flu, there are elements of our strategy just not sensible to retain and will not be deliverable. We have to look very closely at the limited resources we have.

“There are some long-term interventions that might fall by the way side.”