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.”
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