THIS week sees the launch of the Government's National Pandemic Flu Service – a website and call centres which the Department of Health says will inform users quickly if they have swine flu.

Diagnosed callers will get a reference number so they can go to a pick-up point to get a dosage of anti-viral drug Tamiflu without having to visit a GP.

Mike Sandys, deputy director of public health at Derby City Primary Care Trust, said: "The NHS across Derbyshire is continuing to cope well thanks to the hard work of staff and local GPs but the flu service will provide additional support."

He said GPs would continue to see babies under 12 months with swine flu symptoms.