Superewza
28-08-10, 15:51
http://www.savenhsdirect.co.uk/
If you haven't heard then our blissfully stupid government is planning on axing the NHS Direct helpline, but Cameron has said that any petition with 100,000 signatures would guarantee a Commons debate on the matter.
They're planning on replacing it with a cheaper and vastly inferior '111' service:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/08/28/condems-axe-nhs-direct-phone-line-for-cheap-service-115875-22519925/
ConDems axe NHS Direct phone line for cheap service
By James Lyons 28/08/2010
The hugely popular NHS Direct phoneline service is being axed, blundering Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has let slip.
Tory plans to replace it with cutprice call centres were exposed by the Mirror before the election.
The ConDems still insisted that a new 111 phone service was being trialed but would not necessarily be rolled out a when it was unveiled.
But Mr Lansley admitted it will replace NHS Direct, which costs £123million a year to run, during a visit to Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital.
The Department of Health confirmed the existing service will go within three years after a 111 pilot was launched in County Durham and Darlington.
A spokesman said: "When NHS 111 is rolled out nationally, it will replace the NHS Direct 0845 4647 telephone number." The 111 service is cheaper to run because it is staffed by far fewer medics.
More than 40% of NHS Direct workers are trained nurses but 111 callers will speak to non-specialist advisers who have completed a 60-hour course, not a degree.
In the pilot scheme, there is only one nurse on duty at each of the two call centres taking 111 calls.
At weekends, when the service is busiest, there are 25 call operators to a shift at each centre, but still just one nurse for referrals.
If you haven't heard then our blissfully stupid government is planning on axing the NHS Direct helpline, but Cameron has said that any petition with 100,000 signatures would guarantee a Commons debate on the matter.
They're planning on replacing it with a cheaper and vastly inferior '111' service:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/08/28/condems-axe-nhs-direct-phone-line-for-cheap-service-115875-22519925/
ConDems axe NHS Direct phone line for cheap service
By James Lyons 28/08/2010
The hugely popular NHS Direct phoneline service is being axed, blundering Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has let slip.
Tory plans to replace it with cutprice call centres were exposed by the Mirror before the election.
The ConDems still insisted that a new 111 phone service was being trialed but would not necessarily be rolled out a when it was unveiled.
But Mr Lansley admitted it will replace NHS Direct, which costs £123million a year to run, during a visit to Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital.
The Department of Health confirmed the existing service will go within three years after a 111 pilot was launched in County Durham and Darlington.
A spokesman said: "When NHS 111 is rolled out nationally, it will replace the NHS Direct 0845 4647 telephone number." The 111 service is cheaper to run because it is staffed by far fewer medics.
More than 40% of NHS Direct workers are trained nurses but 111 callers will speak to non-specialist advisers who have completed a 60-hour course, not a degree.
In the pilot scheme, there is only one nurse on duty at each of the two call centres taking 111 calls.
At weekends, when the service is busiest, there are 25 call operators to a shift at each centre, but still just one nurse for referrals.