Live webchat with Health Secretary Andy Burnham today (Weds 22 July) 2.30-3.30pm

[HelenMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, will be joining us on Mumsnet tomorrow (Wednesday 22 July) between 2.30pm and 3.30pm for a live webchat, during which he's promised to answer your questions about swine flu (and anything else you'd like to know).

Andy has been Health Secretary since June this year. He is also MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester, was born in Liverpool, has three children, supports Everton and, apparently, plays a mean riff on the guitar.

Because of the last-minute scheduling of this webchat, we're NOT taking advance questions, so stand by your keyboards at 2.30pm tomorrow (or get someone else to ask your question if you can't be there)!

[kellyss]

what about the people that are getting the virus with underlying medical conditions is there any actually being ok?

[RawChocolate]

What measures have been put in place to ensure the vaccine against H1N1 is safe? Also when will it be introduced and which groups will get it first?

[alittlebitfat]

I dont know about the rest of you...but this aint going too well so far.....

[kellyss]

yes my son is due to have open heart surgery in the autum now im gussing here there wont be available beds in the itu for this so what happens then

[VulpusinaWilfsuit]

Can someone remind him about the school/childcare closures question please?

[kathyis6incheshigh]

PLEASE can you ensure more information about sufferers with underlying health conditions is put out there to help reassure & inform people like KellySS who have children with health conditions?
It can't be very reassuring to be constantly told 'Oh, everyone without pre-existing health conditions will be fine' if the child you love more than anything in the world has such a condition.

[megcleary]

I have read thet it would be best NOT to close schools in september and allow children to get immunity before the the winter version of a flu appears, do you have any comment on this?

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Also how much testing will you be doing on the new vaccine or are we meant to trust that it will be OK.

[alittlebitfat]

I bet Nick Clegg would have answered me

[louii]

This has to be one of the worst webchats ever.

[GIvePeasAChance]

2 posts in 20 minutes - is that it??

My father died of pancreatic cancer last Friday. The survival rates of pancreatic cancer have not changed in the last 40 years. Yet, you make big announcements that cancer survival rates are better than ever now. That is misleading. Survival rates are better in areas where the drug companies do the research and where they can make money. 7000 people die of pancreatic cancer a year. And there is SO little tiny amounts of money being put into it. Why is this?

[Frasersmum123]

Good questions Herbie.

[yappybluedog]

alittlebitfat

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

This is all very strange.

It is quite fast moving though.

You okay, Andy? Not passed out with the shock of all the questions?

[Dumbledoresgirl]

In future, could MNHQ check out the typing skills of their prospective chatees...

[AndyBurnham]

On the subject of underlining health issues, I know that people don't like this particular phrase and find it too vague. In general it does mean, it relates to a serious condition such as HIV or leukemia where the immune system is supressed or it can mean that somebody is on chemotherapy for cancer treatment. It has been used because we don't want to give intrusive personal information on every person. I am hoping that we will soon be in a position to give a breakdown of what illnesses have been underlined in all of the fatalities to date.

In the sad cases of fatalities the underlining conditions have often been very severe. There are many people with mild underlining conditions who have made a full recovery. People must not worry unnecessarily but if your child for instance has asthma and you think they have Swine Flu it is a good idea to get antivirals early.

[louii]

Nicola Sturgeon is a much better Minister for Health, at least she is able to answer basic questions, perhaps Mumsnet should have invited her on instead.

[saladodger]

Can't someone else do the typing for him?
< picturing one finger typing from Mr Burnham while the spin doctors argue over his shoulder>

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Perhaps it would have been more sensible to take questions in advance. Then you would have had time to prepare for this.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

When I was younger I started having smears when I was 20, as sadly found in the case of Jade Goody, we do need to have a system in place that would ensure that womens health and concerns are being taken seriously and allow access to important testing which does save lives.

[GIvePeasAChance]

Anyone would think he has made a half arsed attempt to look interested?

[JustineMumsnet]

Sorry folks about the speed issues - promise he's trying but some of this is complicated and he doesn't want to say the wrong thing and cause panic (nb the antibiotic thing was a typo by Andy's typist before you get too worried)

[alittlebitfat]

OK, that's 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back...sorry MN....this is a bit rubbish. Technical problems?

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

What about adults with asthma?