NHS 111, the number to access healthcare when it’s less urgent than 999, will be rolled out across the North-East by April 2013.

The North-East roll-out comes after the five-year, £45m contract to provide the service was awarded to the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), in collaboration with Northern Doctors Urgent CareLtd (NDUC).

Atthemoment, NHS 111 is only available in the County Durham and Darlington area. NHS County Durham and Darlington, in partnership with NEAS, willnow lead the roll out of the service on behalf of NHS North of Tyne, NHS South of Tyne and NHS Tees.

Since the launch of the NHS 111 pilot in County Durham and Darlington, more than 200,000 people have experienced quicker access to the most appropriate health servicefor their individual needs.

Of those calls:

  • 42 per cent of patients were given a booked appointment at their local Urgent Care Centre or directed to their own GP during normal opening hours;
  • Six per cent were directed to theirnearest Accident and Emergency Department;
  • 11 per cent resulted inanimmediate ambulance response.

The introductionof the 111 service in County Durham and Darlington has also resulted in a 14 per cent reduction in the number of calls received by 999, an overall three per cent reduction in the number of 999 incidents and a nine per cent reduction in Accident and Emergency attendances by County Durham and Darlington residents.

Berenice Groves, Programme Director of the NHS 111 service across the North-East, said: “People are often confused by the number and type of healthcare services available to them locally.

NHS 111 is designed to simplify this decision-making process. By dialling 111, people will be able to reach a full range of local health services, including out-of-hours doctors, community nurses, emergency dental care and late opening chemists.

“By calling 111 they can receive the most appropriate treatment and allow the emergency services to concentrate on those most in need.”

The awarding of this contract follows a six-month competitive procurement process.

This was led by NHS County Durham and Darlington and supported by the NHS North East Procurement Service. Five providers bid for the service, with NEAS selected to provide the £45m contract.