This page has been added to try and keep our patients informed on the latest Swine Flu advice.
We feel it is important to reassure patients that the declaration of pandemic does not mean that patients are in any more danger, or that the virus has become any more harmful - it merely reflects the global spread of the virus.
The planning for such a pandemic has been a priority for GPs and surgery staff and we are getting plenty of advice from the PCT , HPA and BMA.We really need to relay the message that if patients are worried that they have symptoms they should stay at home
Members of the public who believe they have influenza will be able to work through a clinical algorithm on the Internet (www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu) or with a telephone operator (0800 1 513 100 or text-phone 0800 1 513 200). If they fulfil the criteria they will be allocated a unique reference number which enables someone on their behalf (a “flu friend”) to collect antiviral drugs.
Certain risk groups will be advised to contact their General Practitioner. One of the intentions of the new system is to encourage self-care for straightforward cases of influenza. This will relieve the burden on NHS services. As a precaution, public information will advise certain groups to contact their doctor rather than use the National Pandemic Flu Service. This includes those:
• With a serious underlying illness
• Who are pregnant
• Who have a sick child under one year old
• Whose condition or whose child’s condition suddenly gets much worse
• Whose condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 days for a child)
Some of the patients listed above may not notice this advice and use the Internet and telephone service anyway. They will still be able to do so and will be given treatment or advised to contact their doctor as appropriate. Furthermore, some patients with no underlying risk may continue to contact their doctor.
Patients can still consult the online symptom checker on www.nhs.uk or call the swine flu information line on 0800 1513 513. If they are still concerned, they should call the GP or NHS Direct (0845 4647 / www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk).
In order to ensure the advice is the latest available we will use links to take to official sites.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831?CID=SFlu&TYPE=sponsoredsearch&CRE=2
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx?WT.srch=1