Antiviral Collection Points
24.07.2009
Antiviral Collection Points in Gloucestershire
The National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) is now available for local people to get information, advice and diagnosis of swine flu.
People can call 0800 1 513 100 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu to get a diagnosis instead of calling their GP surgery or NHS Direct. They will be taken through a series of questions which will tell them if they have symptoms of swine flu and whether they need antiviral medication.
If antiviral medication is prescribed they will be given a unique reference number and a choice of which antiviral collection point to use from a selection in the county.
Anyone who is prescribed antiviral medication should ask a ‘Flu Friend’ who is not displaying flu-like symptoms, e.g. a relative, neighbour or friend, to collect the medication on their behalf.
The Flu Friend will require the unique reference number, 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.
Arrangements for antiviral collection points are as follows.
For the weekend (25-26 July 2009)
Antiviral collection points will be open at:
• Alchem Pharmacy, London Road, Gloucester – open 9am – 6pm Saturday; 11am – 4pm Sunday
• Badhams Pharmacy, Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham – open 8.30am-5.30pm Saturday; 11am – 1pm and 6-7pm Sunday
• Badhams Pharmacy, Delta Way, Brockworth, Gloucester – open 9am – 12pm Saturday
• Badhams Pharmacy, London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham – open 9am-5.30pm Saturday
• Boots the Chemist, Gallagher Retail Park, Cheltenham - open 9am – 7pm Saturday, 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday
• Boots the Chemist, Cricklade Street, Cirencester – open 9am – 5.30pm Saturday, 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday
• Boots the Chemist, High Street, Stroud – open 9am – 5.30pm Saturday; 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday
• Co-operative Pharmacy, Dockham Road, Cinderford – open 9am – 5.30pm Saturday
• Co-operative Pharmacy, Newerne Street, Lydney – open 8.30am – 5pm Saturday
• Lloyds Pharmacy, St Paul’s Medical Centre, Swindon Road, Cheltenham – open 8am – 10.30pm Saturday; 9am – 10pm Sunday
• Tesco’s In-Store Pharmacy, Cricklade Road, Cirencester – open 6.30am – 10pm Saturday; 10am – 4pm Sunday
• Tesco’s In-Store Pharmacy, Stratford Road, Stroud - open 8am – 8pm Saturday; 10am – 4pm Sunday
• NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucester Business Park, Gloucester – open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Antivirals can be collected at any collection point. Unless there is an urgent clinical need, antivirals do not need to be collected immediately after they have been authorised by the National Pandemic Flu Service. If local people require urgent medical assistance or advice they should ring the Out of Hours Service on 08454 220220.
From Monday 27 July 2009
From Monday 27 July 2009 to Friday 31 July 2009 the full list of antiviral collection points open in the county will be:
• 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
• 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, Old Market, Nailsworth – open 8.30am – 5.30pm
• Lloyds Pharmacy, Locking Hill, Stroud – 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
• 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, Stratford Road, Stroud – open 8am – 8pm
• NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucester Business Park, Gloucester – open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
NHS Gloucestershire has organised for the British Red Cross to help those local people who are unable to identify a ‘Flu Friend’.
Dr Shona Arora, Director of Public Health, said:
“The launch of the National Pandemic Flu Service does not mean that swine flu has become more severe. Local people should continue to follow the hygiene advice – Catch It, Bin It, Kill It:
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue whenever possible
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them
• Maintain good hygiene – washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Clean hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product
“However, from today people who have flu-like symptoms will benefit from one central service and we will continue to provide people with access to treatment as locally as possible.
“NHS Gloucestershire is working closely with local partners to provide antiviral collection points using the resources available.
“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. “
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.
NHS Gloucestershire will continue to keep people informed.
