NEW 111 SERVICE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE

 

People in North East London will have access to free clinical support and assessment at any time of day or night under the new NHS 111 Clinical Assessment Service.

The new service, which begins on 1 August 2018, will see GPs, nurses, paramedics, and pharmacists giving urgent advice over the phone through the free NHS 111 helpline, which is available 24 hours a day.

Dr Kate Adams, Clinical Lead for Urgent Care for the North East London Commissioning Alliance, which has commissioned the new service, said:

“The new NHS 111 Clinical Assessment Service will make it easier and simpler for people in North East London to get the right urgent care they need, quickly, first time.

“We know it can be confusing to decide what service to use or visit when your GP practice is closed and you need urgent advice, but we’ve now made this really easy: just call NHS 111.

“As it is joined up with other local health and care services, it will be quick and easy to book appointments or put you through to speak to experts who are an integral part of the service – and it will often mean you receive the same advice or treatment as visiting an urgent care service.

“The new service will not only benefit those who call NHS 111 for urgent expert advice; it will be the first point of contact for people who need help when their GP practice is closed. This is vital in helping keep our busy services such as A&E free to treat those who need emergency, life-saving care.”

The service will provide:

• For anyone who requires urgent care advice or treatment outside of normal GP practice opening hours
• Assessments over the phone – along with advice or treatment recommendations from a range of health professionals if required
• Direct booking appointments, with more appointments becoming available over coming months
• The ability to prescribe medicines over the phone if required
• Easy access to patients’ records and care plans – with details updated after calls
• Quick transfer to mental health crisis services for assessment/advice if required.

The new service will be provided by London Ambulance Service under the first contract awarded by the seven clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) which make up the North East London Commissioning Alliance: Waltham Forest, Newham, Tower Hamlets, City and Hackney, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and Redbridge.

Dr Fenella Wrigley, Medical Director for London Ambulance Service, said:

“The new NHS 111 Clinical Assessment Service will make it easier for people in North East London to get the help they need from experts over the phone and it will support our vital role delivering healthcare for Londoners.

“This service will bring together organisations and healthcare professionals from across North East London. It will mean patients will benefit from care that puts them at the heart of what we do, incorporating mental and physical health and social care.”

To use the service, phone 111, or search for ‘NHS 111 Online’.