New Flu Centres Open in Rolleston and Rangiora

DATE: 20.7.09

SUBJECT: New Flu Centres Open in Rolleston and Rangiora

An increase in the number of out-of-town flu patients at the Christchurch Central Flu Centre has led to the opening today of two more centres in Rolleston and Rangiora.

Dr Phil Schroeder, Head of the Canterbury Primary Pandemic Group says, “We have been keeping an eye on demographics and noting where people calling our 0800 flu line live. We’ve noticed that increasing numbers of people visiting the central city flu centre are coming in from Selwyn and Waimakariri. It therefore makes sense to open local centres for these people."

Both the Rolleston and Rangiora Centres will be lead by local GPs and Practice Nurses and will open at 1pm today.

“It’s really important that people who are concerned about their flu symptoms still ring 0800 37 30 37. That is the only way they will be given an appointment at their local centre. It would also be helpful when people phone that they clearly identify where they live so that they can be directed to the appropriate Centre,” Dr Schroeder said.

In both cases doctors from the primary care sector will help to staff the centres and opening hours will be limited.

The Rolleston Centre will be co-ordinated by Tasha Lane. “It’s a bonus that we can offer our local Selwyn community somewhere close by for help with the flu. Not only are we saving them the trip into Christchurch but we are also supporting our local medical facilities by diverting people with flu symptoms away from non-flu patients.

Our Centre will operate from 1pm-5pm Monday to Friday as required and we will take it a day at a time,” Tasha said.

The Rangiora Centre will be run by Caroline Forbes. “It’s timely that we open the Rangiora Flu Centre now. We’ve got an enthusiastic team of doctors, nurses and receptionists and we are ready to go,” Caroline said. The Rangiora Centre will operate Monday to Friday from 1pm – 4.30pm.

Volunteers, particularly Registered Nurses and medical students would be welcomed at both Centres. Volunteers can register on www.fluinfo.org.nz.

Today, there were 68 people with flu-like symptoms in Canterbury hospitals, 17 of whom had confirmed Influenza A (H1N1). Two of the confirmed H1N1 cases were in Christchurch Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

A total of 176 people attended Christchurch’s Flu Centre over the weekend.

ENDS

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