NHS Herefordshire has welcomed the news that the National Pandemic Flu Service has gone live today.

The telephone number of the call centre is 0800 1 513 100 and the service will be able to quickly tell individuals if they have swine flu.

It is expected to relieve some of the pressure felt by GP practices across Herefordshire.

People diagnosed by the national flu line will be given an authorisation number that a ‘flu friend’ – a friend or relative who does not have swine flu – can use to pick up antiviral medicine from one of the local pharmacies stocking antiviral medicine.

The national flu line means that people will not need to consult a doctor and it will help take away some of the pressure from GP practices.

NHS Herefordshire has stressed that people should not go to the accident and emergency unit or their GP surgery if they suspect they have swine flu, unless they are advised to do so by a healthcare professional.

If people think they have swine flu they should stay at home, go online and check symptoms on www.nhs.uk or call the swine flu information line on 0800 1513513.

If still concerned, people should then call the national flu service on 0800 1 513 100, or text phone 0800 1 513 200, which will make an assessment and may issue a unique antiviral authorisation number for the patient’s flu friend to collect a course of antiviral medicine.

There is also a new dedicated web site www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu for people to check their symptoms.

Callers to the flu line will need to give details of symptoms and medical history and will need pen and paper to jot down instructions.

NHS Herefordshire has been provided by the government with significant stocks of antiviral medicine.

Six key pharmacies in Hereford and in the market towns have been supplied with stocks where flu friends will be able to take an authorisation number to collect antiviral medicine.

People should now have made sure that have a healthy friend or relative, who is a nominated ‘flu friend’.

Communities are asked to please check up on neighbours who may be elderly or vulnerable to ensure they have someone who can take an authorisation number to the pharmacy to pick up the treatment.

Flu friends will be asked for proof of their own and the patient’s identity.

Pharmacies will dispense antiviral medicines only if they are presented with appropriate authorisation, and they will also provide advice on the use of the medicines. No prescription charges will be made.

Herefordshire has a comparatively small number of diagnosed cases, although swine flu is spreading in the community.

If demand increases beyond the capacity of the community pharmacies, NHS Herefordshire has plans in place to open special collection points in the county to distribute antiviral medicines for up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Over 500 council and primary care trust staff have come forward to be redeployed to the antiviral collection points if this proves necessary.

The county is also geared up to launch its own flu helpline if required, but currently neither that nor special antiviral collection points are deemed necessary.

Director of Public Health for Herefordshire Dr Akeem Ali said: "In Herefordshire we welcome the news that the national flu line will be up and running today.

"This will help our local GPs who have had to cope with enormous pressure as more and more people telephone to ask about swine flu.

"They and our other front line healthcare workers and support professionals have been working hard to ensure we continue to provide the necessary reassurance and treatment for local people.

"Because the primary care trust and the council have a unique and close working partnership, the county is in a strong position in preparing for swine flu as staff can work together and support each other if we need to activate emergency measures.

"Please be reassured that in our county people with swine flu have generally experienced mild symptoms and have made a full recovery. Self care is effective in reducing symptoms for mild cases, so people should drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest and use over-the-counter flu remedies as they normally would.

"Please remember the obvious things we can all do to help reduce the spread of infection. Follow basic hygiene rules; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, dispose of the tissue immediately and then wash your hands thoroughly. In short – catch it, bin it, kill it."