KILLER flu pandemic could claim the lives of more than 15,000 people in Hampshire, according to an emergency plan.

NHS Hampshire has finalised a blueprint for dealing with a pandemic flu outbreak, which experts say is a “very high” risk.

The “worst case scenario” is that half the population could fall ill, leading to staff shortages in hospitals and surgeries. Only those with a chance of survival would be treated.

The plan, the first of its kind, was drawn up under Government orders to make sure Hampshire’s health services function during an outbreak.

Phil Hartwell, head of emergency planning for NHS Hampshire, said: “We are currently planning for pandemic flu because it has been identified as one of the biggest risks facing the UK.

“Pandemics are naturally occurring events and there were three last century – the last one in 1968.

“The plan provides a framework in which to respond to what could be an unprecedented event, outside our normal major incident planning.”

Last September, The Gazette reported that the Department of Health said more planning work needed to be done in Hampshire to deal with the surging demand from sick patients recovering from a devastating outbreak.

However, it has now green lighted the plan after changes were made, including the acknowledgement that stark choices might have to be made over who receives care during a pandemic.

The document lays out the dilemmas that would face north Hampshire’s hospital bosses, doctors and nurses should half their population become infected. These include turning away the sick and deciding whether to turn up to work after a partner, family or friend became ill or died.

The nightmare scenario is a deadly virus – such as bird flu – emerging as a pandemic abroad before spreading rapidly to the UK thanks to modern air travel.

The report states such a virus would take between a fortnight and a month to reach the UK, and would spread throughout the population within two weeks.

The high demand at hospitals and surgeries would mean many people would be told to treat themselves at home.

NHS Direct would activate its National Flu line, providing advice and information about which chemists are designated as collection points for anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu.

Local media would run updates and there would be an advertising campaign to promote “flu friends” – friends or neighbours who can collect anti-viral drugs for the sick.

Gaps left by staff who fall ill, die, or are absent due to bereavement would need filling. The report urges deploying healthcare staff to hotspots and recruiting agency staff as well as calling up retired medics and nurses. It also suggests harnessing an army of volunteers to help out.

The response would be co-ordinated by Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum (LRF) with a sub group managing the burial of potentially thousands of victims.

During an outbreak schools would close, travel would be affected and there may be shortages in the shops. GPs’ surgeries and hospitals may have to postpone patient appointments and operations.

Meanwhile protective masks, eye protection, aprons and gloves would be handed out to medical staff.