NEW URGENT CARE PHONE LINE LAUNCHED
When should you use NHS 111
People should use the NHS 111 service if they need help or advice urgently but it’s not a life-threatening situation. You should call 111 if:
- it’s not a 999 emergency
- you don’t think it can wait for an appointment with your GP, or
- you don’t know who to call for medical help
For less urgent health needs, you should still contact your GP or dentist in the usual way. For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, patients should dial 999.
Why NHS 111 is being launched
As part of a national campaign to ensure that patients are directed to the right service as quickly as possible, the new NHS 111 service aims to:
- Improve the public’s access to urgent healthcare services
- Increase the efficiency of the NHS
- Replace NHS Direct with a service more fit for purpose
- Reduce pressure on the ambulance service / A&E departments
How the NHS 111 service works
NHS 111 is a telephone based triage service where highly trained and experienced call handlers, in conjunction with clinicians, will assess each call and direct it to the most appropriate healthcare service for the patient's needs.
NEW EARLY MORNING TELEPHONE ASSESSMENT AND CONSULTATION PROCESS
We are trialling a process of telephone assessment of all patients who call to make urgent appointments in the first 1.5 hours of each day. Patients will be called back by a Doctor or Nurse to assess the patients needs, which may include being given an appointment on the day, otherwise the matter can be dealt with over the phone. This change is in response to patient feedback about the telephone access and appointment availabillity. We will review this change taking account of patient feedback..
January 2013 Newsletter
January 2012 Newsletter
September 2011 Newsletter