Flu pandemic website and helpline swamped by people looking for advice

The Government has set up a website to help people self-diagnose swine flu and reduce pressure on the GPs’ surgeries and hospital emergency departments.

It forms part of the National Flu Pandemic service which also includes a telephone helpline, 0800 1513513, where trained staff can diagnose callers.

A checklist of symptoms is used on the website and by helpline staff to diagnose suspected cases of swine flu. If a case is suspected, callers will receive a code enabling them to get Tamiflu antiviral medicine. People using the website can also get access to the voucher number.

The Government said around 1,500 workers will initially run the service which will only cover England. People in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are told to continue to contact their GP as cases of swine flu have been less prevalent than in England. The Government said another 500 staff will be brought in if needed.

The free-phone number will operate 15 hours a day. Since its launch yesterday afternoon the helpline has been swamped with calls from concerned citizens

However, because the helpline staff are not medically qualified and there is only a checklist on the website, concerns have been raised about possible abuse of the system. Computeractive tried out the website and the basic symptoms given by our staff member lead to a diagnosis of suspected swine flu and the code for Tamiflu was given.