A new self-care service which will give people with pandemic swine flu symptoms fast access to information and antivirals has been launched by the Government. The National Pandemic Flu Service (England only) and is a new dedicated website and phoneline (0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1 513 200 (Textphone)) for people to check their symptoms and get a unique number which will give them access to antivirals if necessary.
People who have swine flu symptoms will be given a unique access number and told where their nearest antiviral collection point is. They should then ask a flu friend - a friend or relative who doesn't have swine flu - to go and pick up their antivirals. The flu friend must show their own ID as well as that of the patient. The authorisation number and ID information will be checked to ensure it matches the information provided when the assessment of symptoms was completed.
In England anyone who suspects they have swine flu must not go to their GP or Accident and Emergency. People should contact their doctor direct rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service if:
Further information is available at the following website: www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
In Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland, the following guidance is given for those who have flu like symptoms and are concerned.
Scotland – Stay at home, contact your GP or NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24
Wales – Stay at home, contact your GP, contact NHS Direct Wales for further advice: 0845 46 47
N. Ireland – Stay at home, contact your GP, for further advice contact N. Ireland Swine Flu Helpline: 0800 0514 142 (9am-5pm)
With the spread of the virus increasing, dental practices may be faced with the situation where:
- a patient who recently visited the practice informs you they have been diagnosed with Swine Flu
- a member of staff contacts you to say they have been confirmed as having Swine Flu
- a member of staff’s family has been confirmed as having Swine Flu
In all the above cases dental practices should continue working and treating patients as normal until someone at the practice develops symptoms. Only when this happens should they be sent home and told not to come to work until they are free from any symptoms (asymptomatic). The condition is not thought to be infectious unless someone is actually showing symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever, sore throat, diarrhoea, headache, feeling generally unwell and a dry cough – in other words, symptoms very similar to seasonal influenza.
If a patient does turn up at the practice for an appointment and has flu like symptoms you are advised to defer treatment. If emergency treatment is required, arrange for it to be provided in a designated practice which has been supplied with the appropriate PPE and training in its use. Each PCT/Health Board should have a list of these settings.
It is good practice for each setting to have signage and posters displayed prominently in order to raise awareness of basic infection control measures such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Each PCT/Health Board should have promotional materials - practices which have not received them should make enquires to their PCT/Health Board. Tissues should also be made available to patients and the location of hand hygiene facilities indicated. A lined bin (preferably foot operated) for used tissues should be located in the waiting area.
See below for Pandemic Flu Guidance for dental practices from the Department of Health in England
England - Health Protection Agency
Northern Ireland - NIDirect Government Services
Scotland - Health Protection Scotland
Wales - National Public Health Service for Wales
