GPs make changes to deal with swine flu numbers

24 July 2009

GPs are rearranging the way their surgeries operate to cater for people who may have swine flu.

Anyone who thinks they may have the new flu virus should still ring their GP. Depending on the practice, patients will either receive a home visit or be invited to a dedicated flu clinic.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Rosemary Geller, said: “As the number of swine flu cases increases, we’re conscious of the increasing demands that home visits will place on GPs. In order to help them manage their workload, GPs can now set up flu clinics.

“The clinics will be specifically for flu patients. GPs have been given stringent infection control guidelines and anyone attending the clinic should not come into contact with non-flu patients in waiting rooms to avoid spreading the virus.”

Clinics will either be held in a separate part of a GP practice or at specific time, for example at the end of the day when general appointments have finished. It will be up to each GP surgery to decide whether they offer the clinic or home visit option to their patients.

56 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Jersey. So far, patients have made a good recovery.

Anyone who has a fever (temperature 38 degrees or more) and flu symptoms should stay at home and call their GP. It is important that people do not go to A&E or direct to their GP’s surgery as this risks spreading the virus into the hospital.

The flu helpline, which provides general information for the public, is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and the number to call is 445566. Anyone needing medical advice will need to contact their GP.