26.08.10
Why not just augment NHS Direct?
I am very confused by the government’s decision to roll out one telephone based healthcare helpline simply to replace one which is already set up and running.
Whilst I can clearly see the obvious benefits of 111 over NHS Direct - as it allows for appointments to be made, along with being free to call - it would appear that a huge amount of money is being spent setting up a system when these changes could simply be made to NHS Direct.
The government has also said that NHS Direct will be subsumed by the new 111 emergency number – but why is it not happening the other way around? Surely it would be easier simply to expand NHS Direct, rather than start from scratch?
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