A website on bio-terrorism has been set up to help Swindon GPs in the event of an attack.

The Wiltshire Centre for Medical Preparedness, which is accessible only by local doctors, contains advice on how to deal with a major chemical or biological incident, and acts as a reference resource.

Dr Peter Crouch, of Taw Hill Surgery, set up the website in conjunction with Swindon Primary Care Trust's public health department last year.

He said: "The website should go some way to reassure people in Swindon that GPs are taking the trouble to set up measures."

The British Medical Associa-tion's annual conference heard how GPs across the country feared the NHS could not cope with a terrorist attack.

Delegates in Llandudno agreed that "the emergency planning arrangements within the NHS are inadequate, and urgent action is required in the face of imminent terrorist attacks".

But Dr Crouch said this was an alarmist reaction.

He added: "There have been at least two recent events specifically covering bio-terrorism.

"These are more awareness sessions as opposed to hands-on effects of bio-terrorism, so there is some truth in what has been presented to the BMA, but I think there is also an element of alarmism.

"GPs are not completely ignorant about this emotive subject. Booklets have been sent out to surgeries, advising GPs on how to recognise and treat victims of biological attacks."

Dr Crouch added that the website had proved to be a hit and could catch on at PCTs across the country.

He said: "We have had tons of enquiries from people but it's specific to Swindon because it's a local directory with GPs mobile contact numbers and other details."

The website, www.wcmp.co.uk, is accessible through secret log on details issued to Swindon GPs.

Dr Peter Swinyard, of the Phoenix Surgery in Toothill, believes doctors should prioritise their time.

He said: "Our patients' needs are the most important factor so we have to prioritise what we spend our time doing accordingly.

"I think learning about the treatment of anthrax is not as high a priority as learning more about modern conditions, such as asthma and diabetes."

Last month the Advertiser reported how Swindon doctors were being sent emergency advice cards from the Government's Health Protection Agency, detailing the effects of smallpox, anthrax, mustard gas and other chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards.

Alex Emery