Doctors and Swine Flu... .

David333

I've just moved up to Glasgow and don't have a doctor yet (I know I should have done it earlier!). In England, if I were to succumb to swine flu I could call a hotline and get some antibiotics. In Scotland, what should I do? Would any doctor allow me to phone them and prescribe medicine on an emergency basis...? Thank you!

SMC_2

If you need medical help urgently here in Scotland then call NHS 24
http://www.nhs24.com/content/

loadsacash

It should all be on here

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/swineflu

David333

Thank you both for your advice; I shall peruse the links!

scotsbob

NHS24 is the Scottish equivalent of NHS Direct. Unlike NHS Direct they will not arrange for antibiotics over the phone. In fact unlike England, there is a reluctance to prescribe antibiotics here

However it is possible to deal with NHS direct if you live in Scotland and I have sent you a PM

MsChazzer

We don't have the same swine flu hotline because at the moment it is felt that the number of cases is still low enough for GPs to manage (not that they're particularly low though!), may change over the next few months though! Best thing to do is get registered, call NHS24 if you haven't managed to do that and are worried you have swine flu.

laalaa

You would call NHS24, which is Scottish version of NHS direct.
Dont think they can issue prescriptions, only advise or arrange a doctor to come out and visit you if necessary.

Tamiflu is not an antibiotic, btw.

Many folk seem to be riding it out now, and doing without tamiflu. Think research has shown that it only seems to be shortening the flu by one day, and some of the side effects are pretty bad.

sco0ter

laalaa wrote: »

Many folk seem to be riding it out now, and doing without tamiflu. Think research has shown that it only seems to be shortening the flu by one day, and some of the side effects are pretty bad.

Treatment up here seems to be to stop wiping your nose on your sleeve (or at least change it twice a day) and stop moaning. Even staying in a "Hotspot" doesnt get you taken seriously unless you can cook eggs on your forehead and have snotters running down your chin.