Flu doctor death 'not suspicious'

Dr Michael Day worked as a doctor at a Bedfordshire health centre

The death of a GP who was confirmed as having swine flu is not being treated as suspicious, the NHS has said.

Dr Michael Day, 64, who was a GP from Dunstable, died on Saturday.

There will not be an inquest into his death, confirmed Bedfordshire Police. The force has yet to release the cause of his death.

A post-mortem is still due for six-year-old Chloe Buckley, from north west London, who died after contracting swine flu.

Dr Day, who worked at the Priory Gardens health centre in Dunstable, died on Saturday in Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

An NHS Bedfordshire spokesperson said: "The coroner has confirmed that Dr Day's death was not suspicious, but has yet to release information on the cause of death."

Chloe, who died on Thursday at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, central London, had contracted the virus in the UK.

She attended St Catherine's School in West Drayton, north west London.

The school has closed early for the summer break following her death.

'Very distressed'

Her parents, Michael and Jacinta, released a statement saying they were satisfied with the medical care Chloe had received and asked to be left alone to grieve.

"We are obviously very distressed at the loss of our fun-loving baby girl.

"Nothing can replace her in our lives and we would plead with you to allow us to deal with our loss in private and without further intrusion.

"We are satisfied that the medical care Chloe received at all times was appropriate, and are disappointed with the stories that have been printed that suggest otherwise."

NHS Direct has dealt with more than 198,000 calls about swine flu since 27 April, a spokeswoman said.

Of these, 56% of people were given advice on looking after themselves at home, 10% were given health information and 32% were referred to their GP for further assessment.