Scotland's response to swine flu - pandemic or hamdemic?

Pandemic, hamdemic call it what you will, but swine flu has led the headlines since it burst on to the scene in April.

As the first pandemic in nearly 41 years there has been a constant haze of coverage, conjecture and comment.

Scotland was at the centre of the outbreak of swine flu in the UK as news broke that a couple from Falkirk had contracted the virus while honeymooning in Mexico. From there the story has taken many turns including the need to plan for a worst-case scenario, should a second wave hit, and the soon-to-be implemented vaccination campaign.

But how have those in the driving seat of pandemic flu communications handled the daily pressures?

In a fast moving news environment facts can lack, phones run red hot with thousands of media enquiries, lives are on the line and crucial decisions must be made about how to get across challenging messages to the public.

A free Stempra event in Scotland, which follows on from a similar event in London, will hear from Alison Shields, head of the health press desk for the Scottish Government, and the Science Media Centre's Ed Sykes, who helped shaped the news agenda by fielding expert comments.

Press officers and those working in communications are invited to the discussion, which will focus on lessons learnt and what's on the horizon.

The event is designed to be informal, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions as well as to meet others working with communication roles in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and medicine.

Date: Tuesday 6 October 2009

Time: 18:30 – 20:00

Venue: The Voodoo Rooms (private dining area), 19a West Register St, Edinburgh EH2 2AA

Cost: Free

To register: please email events@stempra.org.uk

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