HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 c166W
19. Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for extending NHS Direct. [50994]

26. Mr. McCabe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for extending NHS Direct. [51001]

Mr. Milburn

I refer my hon. Friends to the oral reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave today.

39. Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the performance of NHS Direct. [51014]

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the operation of NHS Direct. [50975]

Mr. Milburn

We have been monitoring the performance of the three currentNHS Direct pilots and they will be independently evaluated to ensure that the service operates to best effect to benefit patients, and to make a significant contribution to better use of resources within the National Health Service.

The early evidence we have suggests that not only do the public like the service but it is clearly helping to guide them to the right response to their problems. In May nearly 1,500 people or 30 per cent. of callers were given advice on how they look after themselves at home. The service also put 83 people directly in touch with the ambulance service, possibly in some cases saving lives.