Databank. NHS Direct
Databank
NHS Direct
By the beginning of December 1999, 60 percent of the country will benefit from a further extension of the 24-hour telephone health advice line service which enables members of the general public to have access to immediate healthcare advice. Specially trained nurses staff the telephone helpline providing first aid and other self-care advice and advising patients to visit their GP or hospital if they think it is appropriate. In April, 600 callers who had not intended calling an ambulance were transferred to the 999 service, in some cases saving lives. The extended service will be particularly valuable in helping to manage winter pressures. NHS Direct will cover the whole of the UK by the end of the year 2000. It is an essential part of the Government's NHS modernisation programme making the health service more convenient and accessible to patients. Not surprisingly, almost half of the calls are from mothers concerned about their children.
