§ Kali MountfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) of the people using NHS Direct, since it began, in Colne Valley constituency or other similar local areas for which figures are kept, how many(a) were referred to hospital, (b) were referred to their GP and (c) received other advice; [102233]
(2) how many people in Colne Valley constituency, South Kirklees Primary Care Group area or other similar locality for which records are kept have used NHS Direct since it began. [102234]
§ Ms StuartBetween April and October this year, NHS Direct West Yorkshire handled over 65,000 calls. The current systems are unable to report information at constituency, primary care group or health authority level, except for calls received via the general practitioner co-operative.
§ Kali MountfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of NHS Direct on other local health services in the Colne Valley constituency, South Kirklees Primary Care Group area or other similar local areas. [102232]
§ Ms StuartThe Medical Research Unit of the University of Sheffield is undertaking an independent evaluation of NHS Direct. This evaluation will include a study of the outcomes from calls to NHS Direct. We expect the University of Sheffield's full and final report to be published early next year.