Swine Flu Hotline to be Launched Today in England

23 July 2009:  The new government National Pandemic Flu Service hotline will be launched later today in England (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not participating at the current time).  The new Hotline will enable those who believe they may be infected with the H1N1 Swine Flu virus to obtain help and, if deemed necessary, a prescription for the antiviral drug Tamiflu without having to contact their GP.  There is no charge for the service.

Be aware that the phone operators manning the new call centres are not required to be medically trained, but have merely been instructed to ask set question about Swine Flu symptoms. If a diagnosis of Swine Flu is likely the caller will be assigned an authorisation number to receive a prescription for Tamiflu.  The sick should not venture out and risk spreading the virus, but have a well ‘flu friend’ collect the prescription from a specified local collection point.  Those using the online service will be guided in similar fashion through a detailed questionnaire.

The new Hotline is being implemented to take the enormous pressure off the NHS and GP surgeries, which are currently inundated with calls from the genuinely sick as well as the worried well.

There are concerns that people may abuse the system by claiming to be sick when they are not, just to obtain Tamiflu.  Warnings have been broadcast about taking the drugs unnecessarily as they will do no good and will not provide any protection against catching the virus.  They also, as with most drugs, have side effects which include nausea.  There is also the risk of a serious illness other than Swine Flu being missed. 

If you have plans to travel abroad and experience symptoms, especially fever, you should obtain advice and consider postponing travel.  The local authorities at many airports, and some airlines, are screening passengers for the Swine Flu (H1N1) virus. They may take measures to do further testing, deny boarding of flights, or even quarantine if they believe you may be infected.  Visit the Foreign and Commonwealth office website for more information and links. 

If travelling within participating EU member countries, be sure to take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you to cover urgent medical care in state-run facilities.  However, the EHIC does not provide cover for ongoing treatment, non-urgent treatment, or medical repatriation so it is extremely important to also take out Travel Insurance. Travel insurance should provide cover in the event you become sick with Swine Flu when overseas, but check your individual policy.

(Note: The new Hotline number is different from the NHS information hotline which was introduced in April of this year).