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Leeds gets dedicated swine flu centre
A dedicated centre to give out flu medication has opened in Leeds as a new national helpline goes live.
The new antiviral collection point means there are now six outlets in the city providing medication for the symptoms of swine flu.
Click here for a full run down of the 20 YEP community sites launched around Leeds to date.
With the new helpline now able to prescribe Tamiflu over the phone, the aim is to take the pressure off hard-pressed GPs.
People with a prescription should enlist a 'flu friend' to collect the medication for them from the new centre or one of five pharmacies across Leeds.
Dr Ian Cameron, director of public health for NHS Leeds, said: "We are building capacity to meet demand.
"This new service is going to relieve the pressure off accident and emergency and GPs.
"Leeds GPs have been very busy.
"I'm delighted that the National Pandemic Flu Service is up and running."
He said that latest figures showed 700 Tamiflu prescriptions issued for people in Leeds.
Health chiefs say 1,500 new cases could be diagnosed each day in the city by September.
Dr Cameron said the advice to anyone with the symptoms of swine flu – which include a high temperature, aches and pains, cough, sore throat, runny nose and tiredness – should stay at home, take paracetamol and drink fluids.
If after a day, they are not feeling better, they should ring the new National Pandemic Flu Service.
Call handlers will ask for further information and decide whether antiviral medication is needed. It will not cure the illness, but will relieve symptoms.
If it is, the patient will be told where their nearest collection point is and given a unique reference number for their prescription.
Their 'flu friend' would then take that, along with some information about the patient, to collect the medication.
The new centre, which is open seven days a week, is being staffed by NHS Leeds workers.
Extra security has been drafted in as only those with a prescription for an ill patient will be able to get Tamiflu or Relenza, another treatment.
People with symptoms should stay at home – arrangements are in place for those who don't have anyone to collect their medication for them. Dr Cameron added that further collection centres were in the pipeline.
"We are prepared to expand the antiviral collection points and we are planning to do that, " he said.
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Weather for Leeds
Monday 21 May 2012
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Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
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