NZ Flu Centre hours extended - Call ahead first

[Sally Furniss]

Flu Centre hours extended
Monday, 22 June 2009, 11:02 am
Press Release: Canterbury District Health Board

Canterbury District Health Board
Media release ? 21 June 2009
Flu Centre hours extended

The hours at the central Christchurch Flu Centre have been extended to cope with the number of people being referred there with flu symptoms.

Staff are now being rostered to cover a further six hours each day at the centre compared with on Saturday.

The Centre opened on Friday 19 June as part of the Canterbury District Health Board?s move to manage influenza within the community. On Saturday a total of 79 patients visited the centre.

Canterbury people are encouraged to call the Canterbury Flu Line on 0800 37 30 37 as their first port of call if they have influenza and need medical advice. If required, they will be given an appointment at the Canterbury Flu Centre.

?Most people will be able to cope at home by getting plenty of bed rest and fluids and paracetamol to control the fever,? says Dr Phil Schroeder who leads the Canterbury Primary Pandemic Group.

?If they are very unwell or have other chronic medical conditions which make them at high risk of complications, then they need to call the Flu Line to make an appointment to go to the Canterbury Flu Centre,? he says.

There were 74 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in Canterbury by midday Saturday. Confirmed case numbers will no longer be routinely provided as people are no longer being swabbed for Influenza A (H1N1) as part of the Canterbury District Health Board's move to the Manage it phase in responding to Influenza A (H1N1)

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0906/S00135.htm

 

[tropical]

Re: NZ Flu Centre hours extended - Call ahead first

...
Canterbury District Health Board
Media release ? 21 June 2009
Flu Centre hours extended
...
?If they are very unwell or have other chronic medical conditions which make them at high risk of complications, then they need to call the Flu Line to make an appointment to go to the Canterbury Flu Centre,? he says.
...
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0906/S00135.htm

I remember how dificult is to ill atend queues by the doctors.
Couldn't be also inserted the possibility of came in home visit to the patient, or got the placet for taking antivirals at home by phone?
The GPs have the patients previous health parameters.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: NZ Flu Centre hours extended - Call ahead first

Flu sufferers urged to delay GP visit
Newstalk ZB June 22, 2009, 11:51 am


Doctors want anyone who thinks they may have swine flu to wait a few days before going to see their GP.

The number of confirmed cases jumped to 258 yesterday.

Royal College of General Practitioners head Jonathan Fox says GPs are getting a lot of enquiries from patients with flu-like illnesses. He says most people will just have the normal winter flu.

Dr Fox says people should only see their doctor if things are not going the normal way of the flu after a couple of days.

The college is also trying to quash fears swine flu will become resistant to antiviral drugs.

Scientists are concerned that the H1N1 virus could mutate with a Tamiflu-resistant strain. There have been reports all 18 seasonal Influenza A strains tested so far this year have been Tamiflu-resistant.

Dr Fox says Tamiflu was first used to try to contain the outbreak, but has now been reserved for people who are seriously ill with the virus. He says by reserving it for the severe cases then it will reduce the chances of the virus retaining resistance.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5669946/flu-sufferers-urged-to-delay-gp-visit/

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ Flu Centre hours extended - Call ahead first

Canterbury?s first Flu Centre, that was opened last Friday 19 June, has so far seen 157 people for medical assessment of their flu symptoms.

Most of these people had been given an appointment at the Centre after calling the Canterbury Flu Line 0800 37 30 37, that opened on Saturday.

According to Phil Schroeder, who leads the Canterbury Primary Pandemic Group, almost 400 people called the Flu Line over the weekend, with most being given advice over the phone rather than being booked for an appointment at the Centre.

?Most people with influenza will feel miserable for about a week but will be able to manage at home with rest, paracetamol (for a fever) and plenty of fluids. The Flu Centre is for people who are becoming significantly unwell and these are the people that we have seen in the last few days, ?he said.

?Family, friends or neighbours are very important in providing support for sick people particularly if the person that is ill normally cares for others,? Dr Schroeder said.

Anyone who is worried about their flu symptoms or who has an ongoing medical condition, that puts them at risk of complications from influenza, should call the Canterbury Flu Line on 0800 37 30 37. An appointment will be then made at a Flu Centre if necessary.

Dr Schroeder said he would like to remind people not to visit a General Practice, pharmacy, hospital or other health provider if they have influenza.

?Doing this puts other people, including those who may have other illnesses, at risk of getting the flu. The 0800 number needs to be the first port of call in Canterbury."

?Obviously if it is an emergency and someone is seriously unwell, they should call 111."

For further information about influenza in Canterbury visit www.fluinfo.org.nz

 

[tropical]

Re: NZ Flu Centre hours extended - Call ahead first

Flu sufferers urged to delay GP visit
Newstalk ZB June 22, 2009, 11:51 am
...
Dr Fox says Tamiflu was first used to try to contain the outbreak, but has now been reserved for people who are seriously ill with the virus. He says by reserving it for the severe cases then it will reduce the chances of the virus retaining resistance.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5669946/flu-sufferers-urged-to-delay-gp-visit/

"reserving it for the severe cases then it will reduce the chances of the virus retaining resistance"

From the FT sci. news collections and debates about resistance,
did not emerge the above link with it's wide somministration (Japan, etc.).

Did I miss such an resistance sci. factual explanation, maybe the above is guessing, or an health sector sparing of Tamiflu not enaugh stored doses usage ...