The government has confirmed it is planning to scrap the NHS Direct telephone service in England and replace it with a cheaper option. A new 1-1-1 helpline is already being piloted in north-east England. It was previously reported that the new service may replace NHS Direct, but now the Department of Health has confirmed it will definitely do so. The move comes as the government curtails public spending, even though it has promised to protect the NHS. The change will not affect existing NHS helpline services in Scotland and Wales.
The government has confirmed it is planning to scrap the NHS Direct telephone service in England and replace it with a cheaper option.
A new 1-1-1 helpline is already being piloted in north-east England.
It was previously reported that the new service may replace NHS Direct, but now the Department of Health has confirmed it will definitely do so.
The move comes as the government curtails public spending, even though it has promised to protect the NHS.
The change will not affect existing NHS helpline services in Scotland and Wales.
I used it once and found it useful. But many have suggested (ie plural of anecdote) that their recommendations boiled down to;- a)go to emergency b) see your doctor keep to the Fen Causeway
Personally I don't know if that is a good enough use of money in itself. Is NHS Direct linked to out of hours GP/Dental services? Ad astra per aspera
