A HEALTH trust is urging people who think they may have swine flu to call a national pandemic hotline.
People living in the north Kent area can now be diagnosed and access medication over the phone or online.
Callers will speak to call handlers under medical supervision, while those using the web will answer a series of questions to see if they need antiviral medication.
Patients requiring treatment will be given a voucher which a nominated ‘friend’ can use to get hold of medication from one of 38 antiviral collection points in the area.
NHS West Kent’s director of health improvement, Dr Jackie Spiby said: “The new service, the first of its kind in the world, will take the pressure off GPs and allow people to be treated more quickly.”
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