A DROP in the number of people diagnosed with swine flu has prompted the Government to close the National Pandemic Flu Service.
The role of diagnosing and issuing prescriptions will be returned to GPs and NHS Direct.
The £2.5million national service was set up last July to ease pressure on doctors who were being flooded by people with swine flu symptoms calling surgeries to have a telephone consultation.
The hotline and online service will continue to operate until 1am on Thursday.
Until then, people should call the hotline on 0800 1513200 or visit www.
direct.gov.uk/swineflu if they think they may have swine flu.
Dr Harron Siddique, of Southend Medical Centre, said: “I think it will be with a bit of apprehension and we’ll wait to see the outcome. The national service has been very good and reassuring to the public while easing our workload so we may well miss it. But it needs to be balanced as it’s quite expensive.”
He urged patients to contact their surgery if they suspect they have swine flu.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel