A national swine flu service, which will allow thousands of sufferers to obtain antiviral drugs without needing to consult a GP, will go live in England today.
The National Pandemic Flu Service can be accessed through the internet and the telephone and will be staffed by more than 1,500 people. Full details of the website address and the helpline number will be released later today.
The hotline is aimed at reducing the burden on the NHS as the number of suspected swine flu cases continues to rapidly grow.
But pregnant women, those with underlying health problems and young children will all still be referred to GPs.
The flu service will not cover Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where the burden on GPs has been significantly lower but may be extended to them if demand grows.
Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association, which has helped to design the new service, said: "What we have to remember is that this is a unique situation.
"Some GP practices are receiving hundreds of calls a day and we have to prioritise so we can see the most seriously ill.
"It has been designed by doctors to pick up problems that need to be seen by someone with a medical background.
"So as long as the call handlers get the correct training we can be confident in this service."
31 people have now died in the UK as a result of swine flu, but that figure is expected to rise when the Department of Health releases its weekly update later today.
