In December, the Department of Health announced that a new free three-digit number – 111 – has been agreed with Ofcom, the communications regulator.
The number will make it easier for patients to access non-emergency healthcare wherever and whenever they need it, and will be piloted in the North East, the East of England and the East Midlands later this year. This will help the Department of Health to evaluate the benefits to the public and the NHS before potentially launching the number nationally.
Health Minister, Mike O’Brien MP said:
“Patients have told us that they need clear, easy advice on how to find healthcare quickly when it’s 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.”
When someone calls 111 in the pilot areas, they will be assessed straight away. If it is an emergency, their call will be immediately passed to the ambulance service which 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.
Whilst the exact detail of each pilot is still being finalised, NHS Direct will play a key role in all three pilots, working in partnership with local providers to deliver a seamless service to users.
Nick Chapman, Chief Executive of NHS Direct commented:
“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.
