Flu buddies face long trip to collect drugs

By corson

Hundreds of Lincolnshire people are being diagnosed with swine flu each week, yet there are only five antiviral collection points in the county.

For security reasons, pharmacists and A&E departments are not allowed to hold stocks of Tamiflu.

However NHS Lincolnshire says that as of Monday , it will open a further two antiviral collection points, the locations of which are yet to be confirmed.

And should the pandemic reach a 'worse case scenario' where half of Lincolnshire is affected, a maximum of 30 antiviral points will operate.

NHS Lincolnshire says people with flu symptoms should not visit their doctor or an antiviral collection but instead should ring their surgery where a diagnosis can be made over the phone.

Patients who are classed as 'vulnerable' will be prescribed Tamiflu.

A symptomless 'flu friend' should then pick up a note from the surgery and take it to an antiviral collection point together with a form of ID for themselves and the patient.

Director of public health at NHS Lincolnshire, Mandy Bretman, said: "In a scenario where 50 per cent of the population is affected then we will have 100,000 people attending the antiviral collection points in a week."

Dr Bretman said that Tamiflu does have side affects including sickness, rashes and tummy upsets which is why the NHS will compile a register of who has been prescribed a course.

"Antivirals will reduce the period of having flu symptoms by one day and the symptoms should be less severe," said Dr Bretman.

"This is very important for the vulnerable groups where it is important to reduce the risk to them."

As reported in Tuesday's Echo , the National Pandemic Flu Service will launch in the next few days which will see people with flu symptoms logging onto a website or ringing a call centre where details will be taken from them.

If Tamiflu is recommended, a unique reference point will be given which can be taken by a 'flu friend', with ID, to an antiviral collection point.