Expansion of NHS 111 to transform patient access

News - 10 February 2023

Patients will receive an enhanced NHS 111 offer including increased access to specialist paediatric advice for children and direct access to urgent mental health support, as part of a blueprint, to help recover urgent and emergency care services.
Women stood in front of Hospital Lift

Parents and carers seeking health advice for children and young people using NHS 111 online or by calling NHS 111 will have increased access to specialist advice, including support from paediatric clinicians who can help them manage illness at home or decide the best route for their care.

This will see some children referred directly to a same-day appointment with a specialist rather than attending A&E, avoiding hundreds of unnecessary hospital admissions.

Direct access to urgent mental health support using NHS 111 is also being rolled out right across the country – with people being able to select the mental health option when they call up for help.

The new plans will see an increased number of clinicians – including retired staff and returners – working in NHS 111 to provide the enhanced offer to patients, with flexible working options available.

NHS 111 will also be integrated into the NHS app – which has over 30 million registered users – to make it even easier and more convenient for people to use.

Bolstering NHS 111, which acts as the first port of call for over 50,000 people using the health service each day, is among wider data-driven measures being set out today to support the recovery of urgent and emergency services, by ensuring people access the appropriate service without feeling they have to go to A&E or call 999.

For the full press release and for the further information...

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