Preparations for swine flu surge

OVER the next few weeks, as people prepare to go back to school, NHS Suffolk will be preparing for a possible autumn surge in swine flu.The NHS Suffolk area now has some 18 local pharmacies operational as antiviral collections points - where people's flu friends can go with their unique reference number to collect antiviral medication.

OVER the next few weeks, as people prepare to go back to school, NHS Suffolk will be preparing for a possible autumn surge in swine flu.

The NHS Suffolk area now has some 18 local pharmacies operational as antiviral collections points - where people's flu friends can go with their unique reference number to collect antiviral medication.

Planning is also in place to ensure a further nine pharmacies are operational as collection points over the coming weeks. This will bring the total to 27 in the area. There are already 33 in the NHS Norfolk area.

Also, NHS Suffolk is working with GPs and hospitals to be prepared for an anticipated rise in numbers of swine flu cases in the autumn.

Dr Brian Keeble, flu director at NHS Suffolk, said: 'We are anticipating a possible surge in cases after people return from their holidays and children go back to school. But this is no reason for alarm. The same advice still stands - make sure you practise good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before eating. This will reduce the chance of you getting flu.'

If you think you have flu-like symptoms, call the Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu