We all need help from family, friends or neighbours if we get the flu – but help is even more important for people who are vulnerable, infirm or old.
Dr Brian Keeble, Flu Director at NHS Suffolk, said: “For this reason, NHS Suffolk is now urging people and community organisations across the county – including our own staff and colleagues – to look out for people they know of in their area, who may be vulnerable and become a flu friend to them, should the need arise.”
“People using the new National Pandemic Flu Service who have swine flu symptoms will be given a unique access number and told where their nearest antiviral collection point is. They should then ask their flu friend – a friend, relative or neighbour who doesn’t have swine flu – to go and pick up their antiviral. The antiviral collection points are located in local pharmacies right across the county – so you won’t have far to travel.”
The National Pandemic Flu service is a new self-care service that gives people with pandemic swine flu symptoms fast access to antivirals.
The website is at www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk and the telephone service is on 0800 1 513 100.
The new National Pandemic Flu Service website will be available 24 hours a day. The phone line will run from 8am until midnight.
As a flu friend, you must show your own ID as well as that of the patient. That ID includes:
- a utility bill
- passport
- a credit or debit card
- driving licence
- NHS card
Advice remains that anyone who suspects they have swine flu should not go to their GP or A&E. Also, that people should contact their doctor direct rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if:
- they have a serious underlying illness
- they are pregnant
- they have a sick child under one year old
- their condition suddenly gets much worse, or
- if their condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 for a child)
Issued by the NHS Suffolk Communications Team on 01473 770014
For more information about NHS Suffolk visit www.suffolk.nhs.uk
