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Swine flu prompts record number of calls to NHS Direct helpline

The NHS Direct helpline has received more than 1,300 calls from people concerned about swine flu; of these some 200 people were deemed to be at 'risk' and advised to seek medical attention and tests from their local GP.

Contact centre agents at the NHS' 35 national contact centres were given training on how to assess and screen worried members of the public.

Pam Bradbury, regional director for the West Midlands NHS Direct advised that agents have been trained to categorise the calls for example, ''Some people just want information. Perhaps a colleague has just returned from holiday in Mexico and they're worried they might be carrying something that could then spread at work,"

"Then there are the callers who are displaying some, but not all, of the symptoms. for which we can reassure them they're not at risk and advise them on how to take care of themselves at home.

"Thirdly there are those who are symptomatic and who have been to, or had contact with people who've been to, the affected countries for which we advise them to talk to their GP who can organise tests.''

8th May 2009
May 2009 - Swine Flu - Prompts record number of calls to NHS Direct helpline