Hundreds turn out to collect antiviral treatment from county's collection points

An average of 150 people per day have been turning out to pick up antiviral treatment from collection points in the county.

Hundreds of ‘flu friends’ have been getting treatment such as Tamiflu for people with symptoms of swine flu from the points rolled out in Gloucestershire last Thursday.

NHS Gloucestershire says some of the visits have been from people who live out of the county but found it more convenient to attend an ACP in Gloucestershire.

The health body will tomorrow open further collection points to help support the National Pandemic Flu Service.

The majority of the 33 points will be at community pharmacies.

Dr Shona Arora, Director of Public Health said: “We are very grateful to the community pharmacies for enabling us to use their premises for antiviral collection points. It is testament to our working relationships that the health community across the county has pulled together to help ensure that we are able to provide antivirals as close to people’s homes as possible.”

During the working day ACPs are open across the county and an ACP remains open at Gloucester Business Park until 10pm.

Between 10pm and 8am, if local people need advice on whether it is necessary to collect antiviral medication, they are asked to call Cirencester Minor Injury Unit on 01285 655711.

Unless there is an urgent clinical need, antivirals do not need to be collected immediately after they have been authorised by the NPFS. They can safely be collected the following day.

People are advised to continue to use paracetamol products to reduce temperature and drink plenty of fluids in these circumstances.

Dr Arora continued: “The launch of the National Pandemic Flu Service does not mean that swine flu has become more severe. It is important to remember that the vast majority of people who have been diagnosed with swine flu to date have experienced relatively mild symptoms and have recovered well.”

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms is advised to call 0800 1 513 100 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu to be assessed for swine flu. They are taken through a series of questions which tell them if they need antiviral medication.

If antiviral medication is prescribed they are given a unique reference number which should be given to a ‘Flu Friend’ who is not displaying flu-like symptoms to collect the medication on their behalf.

The Flu Friend will also require the patient’s ID and their own ID. Anyone attending an antiviral collection point without these three things will be asked to return home to collect them.

Anyone who turns up and has not been through the National Pandemic Flu Service will be asked to use the Service before asking a flu friend to collect medication for them, if required.

If local people require urgent medical assistance or advice outside of their normal GP opening hours they should ring the Out of Hours Service on 08454 220220.

Dr Arora added: “Everyone is encouraged to ensure they have someone who can pick up antivirals on their behalf. However, if you do find yourself in a position where you need antiviral medication but do not have a flu friend to collect it on your behalf please contact NHS Gloucestershire and we can arrange for the Red Cross to help.”

At the current time, GPs will continue to be in a position to offer telephone advice should patients display symptoms of swine flu and will be able to issue vouchers to patients for antiviral treatment where this is necessary.

Anyone in a higher risk group, such as those who are pregnant, have underlying health conditions or the under 5s, are advised to seek advice from their GP in the first instance.

The full list of antiviral collection points open in the county from Wednesday July 29 to Friday July 31 is:

• AD Byers, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh – open 8.30am – 5.30pm

• Alchem Pharmacy, London Road, Gloucester – open 9am – 6pm

• Badhams Pharmacy, Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham – open 8.30am – 6.30pm

• Badhams Pharmacy, Delta Way, Brockworth, Gloucester – open 9am – 6pm

• Badhams Pharmacy, London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham – open 9am – 6.30pm

• Boots the Chemist, Cricklade Street, Cirencester – open 9am – 5.30pm

• Boots the Chemist, Gallagher Retail Park, Cheltenham – open 9am – 8pm

• Boots the Chemist, High Street, Stroud – open 9am – 5.30pm

• Co-operative Pharmacy, Dockham Road, Cinderford – open 9am – 5.30pm

• Co-operative Pharmacy, Newerne Street, Lydney – open 8.30am – 6pm

• Day Lewis Chemists, Park Road, Berry Hill – open 9am – 5.30pm

• Day Lewis Chemists, Pyart Court, Coleford – open 9am – 5.30pm

• Day Lewis Chemists, Broad Street, Newent – open 9am – 6pm

• Drybrook Pharmacy, Drybrook Road, Drybrook – open 9am – 5.30pm

• G Horton Ltd Pharmacy, Market Place, Cirencester – open 9am – 5.30pm

• James Pharmacy, St George’s Road, Cheltenham – open 9am - 6.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, St Paul’s Medical Centre, Swindon Road, Cheltenham – open 8am – 10.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Waitrose Store, Honeybourne Way, Cheltenham - open 8.30am – 8pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Elmbridge Road, Barnwood, Gloucester – open 9am – 6.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Newerne Street, Lydney – open 9am – 6.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Old Market, Nailsworth – open 8.30am – 5.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, King Street, Stroud – open 9am – 5.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Locking Hill, Stroud – open 9am – 6.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Long Street, Tetbury – open 9am – 6.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Church Street, Tewkesbury – open 8.30am – 6.30pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street, Winchcombe – open 9am – 6pm

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge – open 9am – 6.30pm

• L M Ferro Ltd Pharmacy, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester – open 8.30am – 6pm Monday and Friday; 8.30am – 6.30pm Tuesday-Thursday

• NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucester Business Park, Gloucester – open 8am – 10pm

• Northway Chemist, Northway Centre, Tewkesbury – open 9am – 6pm

• Tesco’s In-Store Pharmacy, Cricklade Road, Cirencester – open 8am – 10.30 pm Monday; 6.30am – 10.30pm Tuesday – Friday

• Tesco’s In-Store Pharmacy, St Oswalds Retail Park, St Oswalds Road, Gloucester – open 8am – 7pm

• Tesco’s In-Store Pharmacy, Stratford Road, Stroud – open 8am – 8pm.

The person collecting the antiviral medication must bring proof of both their own and the patient’s identity with them to the Antiviral Collection Point. This should be one of the following:

• Birth/Marriage Certificate

• Building Society/National Saving Book

• Cheque Book/Cheque Guarantee/Credit/Debit Card

• Child Benefit Letter

• Council Tax Payment Book

• Credit Care Statement (not older than 6 months)

• Full Driving Licence

• Healthcare Professional Registration Number and ID

• Military ID

• NHS Card

• Paid Utility Bill (not older than 6 months)

• Parent-held Record (Red Book)

• Passport/European ID Card

• Pension/Benefit Book

• Standard Acknowledgment Letter (SAL) issued by The Home Office for Asylum Seekers

• Store Charge Card (no Loyalty Card)

• Trade Union Card.