PEOPLE are being urged to find a “swine flu friend” as part of their preparations should they fall victim to the current pandemic.

With the number of cases increasing rapidly, the NHS has moved to treatment phase from containment phase as part of its pandemic influenza plan.

Public health chiefs at NHS North Yorkshire and York are making sure that people know what to do should they fall ill.

One suggestion is that people find a healthy friend or relative, so they do not expose anyone else to risk.

Director of public health Dr Peter Brambleby said: “If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu, stay at home and call NHS Direct or use the symptom checker on the NHS website.

“Depending on your symptoms, you may need to call your GP surgery. If your GP decides that you may benefit from anti-viral medication, they will issue an authorisation voucher, like a prescription, entitling you to anti-virals.

“However, it’s very important that people with swine flu or flu-like symptoms do not go into pharmacies, GP surgeries or hospitals.

“Instead, people need to find themselves a ‘flu friend’ – a healthy friend or relative who can collect any anti-viral medication from the designated local collection point.

“Flu friends can also make sure you have enough food, fluids and simple cold remedies if you can’t leave home.”