ONE of two new flu centres in the Bromley borough has closed due to a lack of demand for antiviral drugs.

The antiviral collection point at the Beckenham Clinic in The Crescent, Beckenham, opened on Friday (July 24) to coincide with the launch of the National Flu Service.

Another centre at the Bromley North Clinic in Babbacombe Road, Bromley, opened on Saturday (July 25).

But bosses at Bromley Primary Care Trust (PCT) say nurses only handed out 200 courses of Tamiflu drugs over the weekend - not enough to justify keeping the Beckenham centre open.

The Bromley North Clinic will now continue to operate from 9am to 9pm, seven days a week.

A spokesman for the PCT said the organisation would be continuously reviewing the situation and if demand rose, staff would man more flu centres if needed.

The PCT’s director of public health, Dr Angela Bhan, said: “We know that many of us will get flu over the coming months.

“Even if someone feels well now, they must make arrangements with friends and family to ensure that someone can act as a flu friend.

“If illness does occur, a short phone call can be made to get the support needed.”

‘Flu friends’ will be able to collect antiviral using a unique identification number issued by the National Flu Service and then taking proof of identity for themselves as well as for the patient to a flu centre, or antiviral collection point.

Find more information at bromley.nhs.uk, bromley.gov.uk or citylocal.co.uk/cities/bromley.