Devon NHS 111 service launches after 6 month delay
The new NHS111 service was launched in Devon by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) today after a 6 month delay.
The national initiative to give patients easier access with non-emergency health issues was delayed following concerns for patient safety from the British Medical Association.
After running smoothly in Dorset for the last 6 months the service is now available in Devon using local contacts.
The 24 hour service is run using trained call handlers supported by clinicians who can provide healthcare advice and direct patients to their relevant local services.
These services include out of hours doctors, community nurses and emergency dentists. Although the number is not intended as an emergency service line call handlers are capable of arranging ambulance dispatch if necessary.
The Devon NHS111 service is commissioned by Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (New Devon CCG) including Torbay.
Dr Andy Smith, Medical Director for SWASFT, said: “We have nearly six months of running the NHS111 service in Dorset and we will be bringing that experience and expertise to the Devon service. We have a local base in Exeter with local staff and all the local knowledge that comes from managing our successful ambulance service in the county too.”
The Out of Hours GP calls that are currently managed by Devon Doctors will gradually migrate over to the NHS111 service between October 2013 and April next year. NHS Direct will soon be ending its operations and patients ringing the old NHS Direct number will be asked to redial 111 instead.
Dr Simon Scott-Hayward, GP clinical lead for Devon’s NHS111 service, added: “NHS111 can help patients to navigate their way through the myriad of NHS services that are out there. It is easy and free to access and will point patients to the best place to meet their urgent health needs. We have been careful in our planning and preparation for the Devon service and during our testing the Department of Health praised SWASFT for their recruitment and training processes. We are confident that our service will be amongst the very best in the country.”
