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South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has opened two new Antiviral Collection Points (ACP) in Tamworth and Stafford that patients will be referred to if they need to collect antiviral medication for swine flu.
Both ACPs opened on Thursday 8th October at Asda on Queensway in Stafford and at Asda on Ventura Park in Tamworth. The new centres brings the total number of ACPs in South Staffordshire to seventeen.
John Wicks, Flu Director for South Staffordshire PCT said: “As we enter the flu season we continue to monitor our response to Swine Flu cases and feel that it is appropriate to ensure that centres are accessible across the South Staffordshire area.”
He continued: “We would urge patients to ask a relative, neighbour of friend to be their ‘flu friend’ – someone who would collect medication from the ACP on their behalf.
“For most swine flu is a mild illness and people should start to feel better after a few days without needing to visit your GP or A&E department.”
The Tamworth ACP opens Monday to Saturday 8am – 10pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm and the Stafford point opens Monday to Friday 8am-11pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm.
Anyone suspecting that they have Swine Flu should not go directly to the ACP but should stay at home, check their symptoms at www.nhs.uk or contact the Swine Flu Information Line for the latest advice on 0800 1 513 513 or the National Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100.
The National Flu Service will assess patients and if required will issue a unique reference number/authorisation number to enable your ‘flu friend’ – a relative, neighbour or friend, to obtain medication from the ACP. This is with exception of children under the age of one year who must be seen by a GP and patients with renal failure and other risks.
