Herefordshire GPs and pharmacies prepared as new national flu line goes live
NHS Herefordshire has welcomed the news that the National Pandemic Flu Service has gone live today (Thursday 23 July 2009). The telephone number of the call centre is 0800 1 513 100 and the service will be able to quickly tell individuals if they have swine flu. It is expected to relieve some of the pressure felt by GP practices across the country, including those in Herefordshire.
People diagnosed by the national flu line will be given an authorisation number that a ‘flu friend’ – a friend or relative who does not have swine flu – can use to pick up antiviral medicine from one of the local pharmacies stocking antiviral medicine. The national flu line means that people will not need to consult a doctor and it will help take away some of the pressure from GP practices.
NHS Herefordshire has stressed that people should not go to the accident and emergency unit or their GP surgery if they suspect they have swine flu, unless they are advised to do so by a healthcare professional.
If people think they have swine flu they should stay at home, go online and check symptoms on www.nhs.uk or call the swine flu information line on 0800 1513513. If still concerned, people should then call the national flu service on 0800 1 513 100, who will make an assessment and may issue a unique antiviral authorisation number for the patient’s flu friend to collect a course of antiviral medicine. Callers will need to give details of symptoms and medical history and will need pen and paper to jot down instructions.
NHS Herefordshire has been provided by the government with significant stocks of antiviral medicine. Six key pharmacies in Hereford and in the market towns have been supplied with stocks where flu friends will be able to take an authorisation number to collect antiviral medicine.
NCVO has produced a Swine flu - contingency planning page
which sets out clearly and simply how to produce one that meets the needs of your organisation.
