Developing a new syndromic surveillance system for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Syndromic surveillance is vital for monitoring public health during mass gatherings. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games represents a major challenge to health protection services and community surveillance. In response to this challenge the Health Protection Agency has developed a new syndromic surveillance system that monitors daily general practitioner out-of-hours and unscheduled care attendances. This new national system will fill a gap identified in the existing general practice-based syndromic surveillance systems by providing surveillance capability of general practice activity during evenings/nights, over weekends and public holidays. The system will complement and supplement the existing tele-health phone line, general practitioner and emergency department syndromic surveillance systems. This new national system will contribute to improving public health reassurance, especially to meet the challenges of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Health Protection Agency, Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Birmingham, UK. syndromic.surveillance@hpa.org.uk
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Harcourt
J
J
Fletcher
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P
Loveridge
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A
Bains
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R
Morbey
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A
Yeates
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B
McCloskey
B
B
Smyth
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Ibbotson
G E
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Smith
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AJ
Elliot
D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062486:Public Health Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D013177:Sports