BMA calls for more time on NHS 111

The British Medical Association is today urging the Government to introduce a flexible deadline for the rollout of NHS 111.

In a letter to the Secretary of State Andrew Lansley, the BMA outlines its serious misgivings about progress to date.

Although the Association says it supports the principle behind the non-urgent NHS number, it says it has been made aware of a number of ‘serious problems and concerns’ with the pilots by its members.

It says more time is needed to evaluate the pilots and warns that the procurement of providers to run NHS 111 in non-pilot areas has been rushed through. For example it cites Shropshire where GPs have expressed concern that patients will receive a lower quality service as the clinicians who triage all calls to their out-of-hours provider are to be replaced by non-clinicians when NHS 111 takes over.  

Moreover, it says that decisions are not being driven by clinical commissioners who will ultimately be responsible for NHS 111 in their area.

Commenting, Dr Laurence Buckman, Chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee, said: “GPs have been telling us for quite some time about problems with the way the NHS 111 is being rolled out and the wider impact it could have on the health service.

“If there was a more flexible deadline in place then local commissioners would have time to work out a solution with NHS 111 so that this option could be kept for their area. The results of the pilots are due to be published imminently and we are worried that the strict deadline in place at the moment means lessons from these won’t be learned and mistakes will just be repeated.  

“If there isn’t a pause then the Government could end up implementing something which doesn’t work to the benefit of all patients, which could unnecessarily overburden the ambulance service and GP surgeries, reduce the quality of existing out-of-hours services and ultimately cost the taxpayer a lot of money.

“More flexibility would allow clinical commissioners to get properly involved in how NHS 111 is being rolled out in their area, making sure it is sensitive to local need. GPs are happy to work with NHS 111 to iron out any problems, but they need time in order to do that.”  

Public Health minister Anne Milton said: "The BMA supports the principles of the NHS 111 service - it will benefit patients by improving access to NHS services and ensuring they get the right care at the right time.

"We will consider the BMA's concerns. We agree that any long-term decision should be made with full approval from local commissioning groups. They should be fully engaged with the approach to delivering NHS 111."

 

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