ELDERLY GPs in Redbridge are being asked by health bosses if they would be prepared to come out of retirement to sign death certificates for victims of swine flu this winter.

Letters are being written by Redbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT) to every retired GP on its list as it braces itself for the second more deadly wave of the H1N1 virus to strike.

An estimated 270 people will be killed by the disease in the borough this winter according to a report that has gone before the board of the PCT.

Nearly 80,000 people are expected to catch it out of a population of 250,000, and more than 1,500 will be hospitalised.

GPs, community pharmacists and dentists have been given until the end of the month to assure the PCT that they have business continuity plans in place to maintain services as the winter wave of the pandemic takes hold.

The action plan comes after dozens of residents caught Swine Flu during the first outbreak in the Spring.

South Woodford mother-of-seven Ruptura Miah tragically died from the virus at Whipps Cross University Hospital in July, shortly after giving birth.

Another mother from South Woodford, who also caught swine flu along with her eight-year-old daughter, said many parents in Redbridge were ‘terrified’ by the virus.

People who believe they may have symptoms are urged to call the national pandemic flu hotline on 0800 1 513 513.

A spokesman for NHS Redbridge said: "Flu pandemics are a rare but anticipated occurrence and the use of retired GPs in this capacity is standard procedure.

"It is important to reassure people this is simply a contingency measure and they shouldn’t be alarmed.”