Extended hours for Spalding swine flu drug pick-up point

Description:

Opening hours are to be extended at Spalding's swine flu antiviral medication pick up point at the disease continues to spread.

Spalding's Johnson Community Hospital's pick-up point will now be open seven days a week from 2pm to 8pm for 'flu friends' to pick up medication for victims of swine flu.

The move comes as NHS Lincolnshire opens new pick-up points across the county to help those suffering with swine flu and the launch of the national pandemic flu service.

The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new dedicated website - www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu - and phoneline (0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1 513 200 (Textphone)) for people to check their symptoms and get a unique number, which will give them access to antivirals if necessary.

People 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 a "Flu Friend" - a friend or relative who doesn't have swine flu - to go and pick up their antivirals.

The "Flu Friend" must show their own ID as well as that of the patient. The authorisation number and ID information will be checked to ensure it matches the information provided when the assessment of symptoms was completed.

ID should be a utility bill; passport; credit or debit card; driving licence or NHS card.

Anyone who suspects they have swine flu is advised not to go to their GP, Walk in Centre or A&E.

Director of Public Health for NHS Lincolnshire, Dr Mandy Bretman said: "Antivirals will help reduce the severity of symptoms and the duration of illness by about one day.  For most people the illness is very mild and they will recover in a few days just as they would from normal seasonal flu.  Some people may therefore decide they do not need antivirals and find they get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of fluids and taking over the counter flu medication.  It should also be emphasised that the antiviral medication does not prevent anyone catching Swine Flu."

"It should also be noted that the medicine when given to patients as a solution or suspension is only for children under one year.  For older children or others who have difficulty swallowing, the capsule can be opened and the contents mixed with a little jam or other sweet substance as specified on the information leaflet given with the package."

"However, 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).

"The best advice we can give to prevent the spread of Swine Flu is still about good hand hygiene.  Remember to 'Catch it, bin it, kill it': Always use a tissue to catch your sneeze, throw away used tissues and regularly wash your hands."