Richard Baum

The attractive sneezing man above can only signify one thing - yes, it’s a Swine Flu update from NHS Bury.

Obviously we’re all worried about Swine Flu. As a Jewish guy I’m doubly worried because as well as the health concerns I am also not sure it’s Kosher. The update below doesn’t turn its attention to that problem, nor do I suggest ringing the new national helpline to find out, but hopefully it will answer any other queries you might have about what’s going on locally with everyone’s favourite new pathogen H1N1.

So, here is the latest information from about the National Pandemic Flu Service, direct from the masked-mouths of NHS Bury:
As you will be aware, important changes have been announced to the way in which the NHS is managing the growing swine flu pandemic in England, this sees the launch of The National Pandemic Flu Service.

The National Pandemic Flu Service is a self-care service that will asses a patient’s symptoms and, if required, provide an authorisation number which can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point. 

The service can be accessed online at https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/ and for those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed by telephone on 0800 1 513 100 (Minicom 0800 1 513 200).

For England, the online health resources remain as:

• Health information www.nhs.uk
• Public information www.direct.gov.uk
• Business information www.businesslink.gov.uk
• The Swine Flu Information Line (automated) can still be contacted on 0800 1 513 513.

Key messages are:

• If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:
• Stay at home and check your symptoms at the National Pandemic Flu Service at https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/ or Telephone 0800 1 513 100.

You should call your GP directly if:

• You have a serious underlying illness
• You are pregnant
• You have a sick child under one year old
• Your condition suddenly gets much worse
• Your condition is still getting worse after seven days (or five days for a child)

I hope everyone stays well, and if they’re unlucky enough to get Swine Flu, makes a speedy recovery.

Rick