'Flu friends' can collect anti-virals at secret location (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

'Flu friends' can collect anti-virals at secret location

3:22pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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The first anti-viral collection point has opened in Bradford in anticipation of soaring numbers of people being diagnosed with swine flu.

The collection point – at an undisclosed location for security reasons – is a place for ‘flu friends’ to pick up medication for people confirmed as having swine flu and it is hoped it will relieve pressure on GPs and pharmacies.

At the moment confirmed cases of swine flu in Bradford are relatively low. There are under 30 and none are serious, however it is expected there will be a significant rise over the coming weeks.

Patients will no longer be swabbed, with diagnosis instead being made by doctors assessing symptoms.

Sheena McCabe, emergency planning manager for NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “Those with symptoms of swine flu need to ring their GP who will carry out an assessment to see if they need anti-virals. If they do, they will be given the address of the collection point and told what identification to give to their flu friend, which will be a photo identification and something with their address on.

“Their GP will then fax authorisation to the collection point and the flu friend can pick up the anti-virals.”

The Bradford collection point is the first of several planned across the district, which will be opened as and when needed. About 500 NHS workers are being trained to staff the collection points, which will be open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

Security staff have also been drafted in to ensure only those with authorisation are admitted.

“It is important that people with flu do not turn up at the centre,” said Mrs McCabe. “They will not be let in as it is important that these centres keep running.

“If people don’t have a flu friend they should tell their GP and something will be arranged. Ideally, people should try and get two flu friends arranged from outside the family and over 16.

“We have access to a language line and interpreters.”

She also warned businesses to make sure they had continuity plans in place in the event of large staff absences.

As the number of cases rise, a system will be introduced where cases are diagnosed and dealt with by a National Pandemic Flu Service, which is expected to be up and running within a few weeks. Scientists are also developing a vaccine, expected to arrive next month.

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