New Health Helpline 'May Put Patients At Risk'

By Thomas Moore, Health Correspondent

Doctors have written to NHS bosses warning that a non-emergency health helpline to be launched on Monday could put patients at risk.

The British Medical Association has told NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson that the official launch of the 111 phone line must be delayed because of 'serious problems'.

The 111 service is replacing NHS Direct in England and is meant to ease pressure on emergency 999 call centres.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chair of the BMA's General Practitioner's Committee, wrote: "It seems that in a number of areas the service is simply not ready to operate, or handle the volume of calls in a clinically appropriate way."

He added: "A smooth transition is essential for patient safety."

In Manchester, where the service has been trialled, the phone line has 'effectively crashed', according to the BMA.

Patients are either unable to get through to an operator, or are waiting several hours for a nurse to call them back.

Other parts of the NHS, including the ambulance service are having to pick up the strain, it said.

The Department of Health has already agreed to delay the launch of the service in some areas.

But the BMA said more time is needed to ensure call centres are fully prepared.

In a statement, NHS England said it was aware of 'some difficulties'.

"But we are confident that measures now in place will ensure resolution of these early problems," it said.

"The service has great potential to be a fast, efficient, all-round service that ensures patients get the right care for their needs."

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