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Posts Tagged ‘NHS Direct’

BBC Health - 28th August 2010 4:57 pm

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.

Around 40% of NHS Direct staff are currently trained nurses, whereas the 1-1-1 helpline centres are expected to employ significantly fewer nurses.

The change will not affect existing NHS helpline services in Scotland and Wales.

BBC Health - 11th June 2010 1:22 pm

Consideration should be given to scrapping NHS Direct as part of a scaling back of health spending, GPs say at their annual conference.

The British Medical Association questioned the effectiveness of the telephone service, claiming it delayed patients getting healthcare.

They also highlighted spending on new buildings and management as areas for potential savings.

But GPs also said possible cuts to community services were a concern.

The NHS has been told to find up to £20bn of savings by 2014 even though the health service is due to see rises in its budget in the coming years.