Scotland's under-fire health minister has hit back at criticism from doctors that little was done to prevent the flu crisis.

Susan Deacon also flatly refused to consider resigning because of the way she has handled the health service's response to the outbreak sweeping parts of Scotland.

New figures show the outbreak has reached epidemic proportions on Tayside but is worst in Angus, where there are now 2,500 cases per 100,000 people.

The official threshold for classifying an epidemic in Scotland is 1,000 cases per 100,000.

The outbreak had already reached epidemic levels in Ayrshire and Arran.

Vaccination programme

Ms Deacon defended herself and the Scottish Executive in an interview with BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme as criticism grew.

The British Medical Association in Scotland, The British Pharmaceutical Federation and the Royal College of Nursing have announced plans to write to Ms Deacon suggesting a joint working group to assess what has "gone wrong" in dealing with the flu outbreak and ensure no repetition in the future.

Earlier, the BMA said the Scottish Executive had ignored calls for a vaccination programme for the over-75s.

Its spokesman, Dr Ken Harden, said: "We argued very strongly for an orchestrated campaign and some health boards in fairness did take up that and did resource and arrange a proper campaign.

"However the majority did not and sadly there was no support from the government centrally."

Ms Deacon responded forcefully: "I listened to what Ken Harden had to say there and I have to totally refute what he had to say.

'Clear guidelines' published

"We have had a nationally resourced flu immunisation programme for Scotland.

"We published through the chief medical officer for Scotland clear guidelines at the beginning of October which the British Medical Association were involved in drawing up and agreeing to which set out those groups which were considered to be most at risk and in turn would most benefit from a flu vaccine.

"In addition to that we resourced at a national level unlimited supplies of the flu vaccine to GPs who by agreement with GP representatives are best placed to identify who in their patient populations would most benefit from the vaccines.

"What we have at the moment is undoubtedly a very difficult situation with a very high level of not just flu but flu-like illness and of course chest infections across the country which are unquestionably putting exceptional pressures on the health service.

"It's testament to NHS staff and management across the country that through their organisation and their commitment that they are coping with the pressures that are being put on them."

'No reason to resign'

Programme presenter John Milne asked Ms Deacon: "You have nothing to answer for in terms of criticism?"

She replied: "We can have a debate around words and language or we can discuss the facts as they stand."

Presenter: "People are calling for your head minister"

Deacon:"I have to say that some of the opposition politicians that are calling for my head do so almost on a daily basis"

Presenter: "You see no reason to resign"

Deacon: "I think what we've done this year is put in place ..."

Presenter: "You see no reason to resign?"

Deacon: "I certainly don't"

Presenter: "Do you think you should be sacked because of your behaviour over this?"

Deacon: "Look, this is not a discussion about me, this is a discussion ..."

Presenter: "But you are the one who carries the can over this situation and you say you have put in place a system which is coping with this crisis so you do not have anything to apologise for"

Deacon: "But John, can I say it's precisely because I recognise my responsibilities as health minister, I'm here this morning to answer your questions and to set out the facts to your listeners of the situation that we face.

"We have exceptional pressures across the NHS in Scotland but these are pressures to be managed, not a crisis to be manufactured."

Nationalist attacks Deacon

The Scottish National Party's health spokeswoman Kay Ullrich MSP said Susan Deacon was "reluctant to accept what the professionals are telling her".

"We still hear her complacent comments that staff are coping and that plans are in place. NHS staff are being placed under intolerable pressure and are striving to cope despite the policies of the Scottish Executive not because of them.

She added: "This has been the first real test of Susan Deacon as health minister, and she has been found sadly wanting.

"Her failure to face up to the situation means that she, in fact, has become part of the problem."