HEALTH chiefs have backed a call for family doctors to carry penicillin supplies for the rapid treatment of meningitis.

Burnley Community Health Council believe the move could save lives during the winter period when cases of the killer disease reach their peak.

The proposal has received the support of the East Lancashire Health Authority medical chief in charge of meningitis alerts.

Dr Roberta Marshall, consultant in communicable disease control, said the idea had merit and it was recognised good practice for GPs to carry penicillin.

She said the health authority was currently drawing up a letter to East Lancashire GP practices to update them on the local situation and to provide guidelines.

She said: "We don't have an audit on what doctors carry in their briefcases, but it would be good practice to carry penicillin." Dr Marshall said it also had a reasonably long shelf life and was not very expensive.

Frank Clifford, chairman of Burnley CHC, said the incidence of meningitis was greater than for many years.

He said: "We believe time is of the essence in meningitis treatment and there is a need for GPs to carry penicillin for immediate use.

"The sooner it is given, the greater the chance of recovery and staving off death."

Coun Clifford said the health authority should be pro-active in the matter.

He said cost could be a factor, but added: "The cost is minimal if it saves a life."

The call comes at a time of a major alert at Southampton University where two students have died from meningitis in recent days.

Last month a two-year-old Nelson boy died from the deadly disease after being rushed to Burnley General Hospital.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.