NORTH KENT: Swine flu sufferers asked to identify a 'flu friend' (From This Is Local London)

NORTH KENT: Swine flu sufferers asked to identify a 'flu friend'

7:00am Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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A HEALTH trust is asking people with swine flu to identify a ‘flu friend’ who can pick up medication on their behalf.

NHS West Kent is also advising people who suspect they might have swine flu to check their symptoms before calling a GP.

People who think they have the virus should visit nhs.uk or call 0800 1513513.

They are instructed not to go to accident and emergency departments or minor injury units.

If a person is confirmed to have swine flu, their ‘flu friend’ will be able to take an authorisation voucher from the GP to a collection point to pick up antivirals.

The trust’s director of health improvement, Jackie Spiby, said: “Our efforts during the containment phase have given us time to learn more about the new virus, to build up antiviral and antibiotic stockpiles and to start to develop a vaccine.”