10:24am Wednesday 8th July 2009
Health bosses are urging people to choose ‘flu friends’ as they continue to prepare for a possible increase in swine flu cases.
Last week the Government announced important changes to the way it is managing the spread of swine flu in the UK.
Although there have only been 97 confirmed cases across the north west, all primary care trusts have been asked to open at least one antiviral collection point.
This means that as of this week, family doctors (GPs) will be diagnosing swine flu over the phone on the basis of patients’ symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing.
People who are suspected as having the virus will be offered antivirals and will be asked to send a ‘flu friend’ to an antiviral collection point to pick up the medicine.
NHS Central Lancashire deputy director of public health Dr Shelagh Garnett said: “Now is the time to ask people if they will be your flu friend if you become ill, and offer to be theirs in return.
“You should pick flu friends who are able to travel to pick up your antivirals – by car or public transport – and to perhaps do your shopping for you. You could also consider becoming a flu friend to a vulnerable person, such as an older person or others who may live alone in your area.
“There is a flu friends factsheet online at www.centrallancashire.nhs.uk which includes a printable form where you can list your flu friends to keep by your telephone should you need to call them.”
To prevent the virus spreading further, it is absolutely vital that people who think they may have swine flu stay at home. People can check their symptoms on the online symptom checker on www.nhs.uk, or they can call NHS Direct 0845 46 47. If they have taken these steps and are still concerned, they should phone their family doctor (GP).
After speaking to a patient over the phone, the GP will fax details through to a collection point. The patient’s flu friend will then go to the collection point with ID for both them and their friend [see full details in Editors’ Notes] to collect the medication. There will be no charge for the antivirals.
Only flu friends who have been directed to go to a collection point by a doctor should go there.
Dr Garnett said: “We have been preparing for this for a long time and are ready to open the antiviral collection points at short notice if necessary.
“While there have been far fewer cases of swine flu in the north west than other regions, we would rather open the centres early and be prepared than be caught off-guard."
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