A new free
three-digit number – 111 - making it easier for patients to access
non-emergency healthcare wherever they are, 24 hours a day, was
given the go ahead by Telecoms regulator Ofcom today.
The new 111 service will effectively assess callers’ needs to
ensure they receive the right service, first time. It will route
patients to a locally available service or provide appropriate
advice and information.
The NHS across England offers a range of options for accessing
non-emergency healthcare. Services such as walk-in centres,
out-of-hours GP services and minor injuries units mean patients
now have more choice than ever before when they need non-emergency
healthcare. However, patients are not always sure where to go for
treatment when they need medical help - but the situation is not
life-threatening - especially when away from home.
When someone calls 111, they will be assessed straight away. If
it is an emergency, their call will be immediately passed to the
ambulance service who will despatch an ambulance without the need
for any further assessment. For minor illnesses and injuries the
111 service will be able to provide immediate clinical advice.
Should the caller need to see a GP, they will be referred to the
nearest local centre.
The 111 service will be piloted by the local NHS in England in
the North East, the East of England and the East Midlands from
2010 to evaluate the benefits to the public and the NHS, before
potentially rolling it out nationally.
Health Minister Mike O’Brien said:
“Patients have told us that they need clear, easy advice on how
to find healthcare quickly when its less urgent than 999 and I am
delighted that Ofcom has allocated 111 for these purposes. Our
research with the public showed a strong preference for 111 over
any other three-digit numbers because it is easy to remember.
“The NHS has a range of non-emergency healthcare
services.
The memorable 111 number will support these services
and provide more choice for patients to find the care they need.
This will be particularly useful outside of GP surgery hours and
for people who are away from home.”
Nick Chapman, Chief Executive of NHS Direct said:
“NHS Direct is looking forward to working with local NHS
organisations to pilot the new 111 number. We believe that it will
increase the access that patients have to the information and
advice they need to help themselves and make best use of the NHS.”
111 will not replace existing local telephone services or NHS
Direct but provide patients with an additional choice in how they
find non-emergency care. In the long-term, 111 could become the
single number to access non-emergency care services in England,
including NHS Direct. 999 will remain the number to call in an
emergency situation.
The Department of Health is working closely with the NHS to make
sure any new number which is introduced complements existing services.
Notes to editors
1. In the final report on his review of the NHS, Lord Darzi
recommended that the NHS continue to explore options for a single
national three-digit number providing access to advice and
information on non-emergency care. For further information on Lord
Darzi’s review of the NHS ‘High Quality Care for All’ visit: http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/
2. Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority
for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across
television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications
services.
3. Under section 63 of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has a
duty to ensure that the best use is made of the UK’s telephone
number resource. Every year Ofcom allocates millions of telephone
numbers to communications providers for homes, businesses and
organisations to use.
4. For further information about Ofcom please visit: www.ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom’s news
releases can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk/media/.
5. Health authorities in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales may
consider whether to introduce the 111 service following the
outcome of the pilots in England next year.
6. During piloting of the 111 service, NHS Direct will continue
to be available on its 0845 46 47 number. However, if the new
service proves to be successful, we would expect 111 to become the
single telephone access point for a wide range of non-emergency
healthcare services, including those provided by NHS Direct.
7. For further background information on 111 visit: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Urgentcare/index.htm
8. For further information please contact
Department of
Health press office: 020 7210 5221
Ofcom press office:
Elizabeth de Winton 0300 123 4000 / ofcomnews@ofcom.org.uk
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk