A new telephone service in Britiain for victims of swine flu will be capable of answering more than a million calls a week, it was announced today.
Meanwhile university campuses across Britain could be partly shut down, freshers week events postponed and students quarantined if swine flu escalates in the autumn, it was also reported today.
Almost two million students will be starting or returning to British universities in September and October, the time when it has been predicted that the pandemic could peak.
Under contingency plans being drafted by university officials to restrict the spread of the virus, affected students could be quarantined in their halls of residence, lectures could be podcasted, and new students enrolled online, the Guardian website reported.
Universities UK (UUK), which represents university vice-chancellors, is to hold a conference next week on Coping with a Pandemic.
The British government's National Flu Pandemic telephone service will be staffed by more than 1,500 call centre staff, with the option of recruiting 500 more.
The initial 1,500 will be capable of answering more than 200,000 calls a day - or more than a million calls a week.
The phone line is accompanied by an internet service where people answer a questionnaire to receive a diagnosis of swine flu.
They will supply their name, address and date of birth either online or to a call centre member of staff before receiving a code.
This code can then be given to a "flu friend" who will collect the antiviral Tamiflu from a collection point on the patient's behalf, using a form of identification from the patient.
More serious cases such as pregnant women, people with health conditions and very young children will still be referred to GPs.
The free phone number will be up and running for 15 hours a day initially but it could become a 24-hour service if required.
Speaking at Paddington station in London today about the new flu helpline, Mr Brown said Britain was the first country to introduce such a service.
He added that it would reduce GPs' workloads and provide the advice that people needed.
Mr Brown added that people should heed the advice they were given so they could be treated as quickly as possible.