The Three Shires Medical Practice

colerne, Marshfield, Pucklechurch and wick Surgeries
Text Box: SWINE FLU Patients with flu like symptoms are being advised NOT to visit GP surgeries if unwell. There is now a national helpline and website that will assess and provide treatment for patients with Flu. As we are now getting significant demand, we are asking patients to use these services in the first place. www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu 0800 1513 100 Alternatively contact your surgery as usual. Thanks Dr R Greenway See Also further information below from Department of Health 27/7/09 NATIONAL PANDEMIC FLU SERVICE – ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC For information Anyone who wants information but is not suffering from flu like symptoms can ring 0800 1 513 513. For treatment Anyone who is suffering from flu like symptoms and wants access to antiviral medication should ring or log on to the new National Pandemic Flu Service. www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu Phone 0800 1 513 100 (8am until midnight) Textphone 0800 1 513 200 (8am until midnight) People who have swine flu symptoms will be given a unique access number and told where their nearest antiviral collection point is. They should then ask a flu friend – a friend or relative who doesn’t have swine flu – to go and pick up their antiviral. The flu friend must show their own ID as well as that of the patient. That ID includes: a utility bill; passport; a credit or debit card; driving licence; or NHS card. People should only contact their GP direct rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if: they have a serious underlying illness; they are pregnant; they have a sick child under one year old; their condition suddenly gets much worse; or if their condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 for a child).

SWINE FLU VACCINATION

We will be starting Swine Flu Vaccination for all eligible patients in the week commencing 9/11/09.

The following people will be encouraged to be vaccinated in the first instance:

* Frontline health and social care workers

* All adults and children over 6 months with underlying health conditions, such as Diabetes, Heart and Lung Disorders.

* Pregnant women

* Household contacts of immunocompromised patients.

 

Vaccine supply is currently sporadic, and we will set up further clinics when as more vaccine arrives.

 

In general, all patients over 10 will receive a single dose of the Pandemrix vaccine made by GSK, which can be given together with other vaccines.

 

For more detailed information see this link for the HPA

Or the nhs.uk site

Dr Richard Greenway 2/11/09