Swine flu assessment bays launched

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Heartlands Hospital, Solihull Hospital and Good Hope Hospital in the West Midlands took the step after visitors to their A&E departments leapt by some 25% with people worried they may have the virus.

The majority of those people were the "worried well" and were sent home, said the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust, which is responsible for the three hospitals, denied the bays were "swine flu receptions".

A spokeswoman said said visitors to the main reception who are worried about the symptoms of swine flu were being directed to an assessment area.

She said: "There are no 'swine flu receptions' - there are no designated receptionists - but there is a designated area where we are seeing people worried about swine flu.

"Those that come in are being assessed and the majority are the 'worried well' and are being turned away.

"We are asking people who display symptoms not to visit A&E, but to contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47."

A fortnight ago, the World Health Organisation announced the swine flu outbreak was now a pandemic - the first in over 40 years.

More than half the confirmed cases in England to date are in the West Midlands.