PATIENTS with suspected swine flu will no longer be able to contact the National Pandemic Flu Service as, due to a drop in reports of flu-like symptoms, the telephone line and website closed.

PATIENTS with suspected swine flu will no longer be able to contact the National Pandemic Flu Service as, due to a drop in reports of flu-like symptoms, the telephone line and website closed.

This means patients who have flu-like symptoms and believe they have swine flu should stay at home and contact their doctor for a GP diagnosis. Patients are reminded not to go to their GP's surgery but to contact them via telephone.

Members of the community who are within priority groups for the vaccination are also being urged to take up the offer of the jab now.

Dr Diu added: “If you are in a priority group and have not had the vaccine then please reconsider and contact your GP for an appointment.”

Included in priority groups are pregnant women, household contacts of people with compromised immune systems, children aged six months to five years and those in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.

People can still call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647.