§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what health advice services are offered by the NHS over the telephone; and what best practice the Department recommends on the use of health telephone lines to reduce pressure on general practitioners. [38016]
§ Mr. HoramHealth authorities have a responsibility to ensure that a freephone health information service is available to their local population. The service must be provided in line with health service guidance HSG(5)44, copies of which are available in the Library. Additionally, the Health Education Authority sometimes provides for helplines on health promotion issues in its campaigns.