§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had with GP bodies about the safety of advice offered by NHS Direct; [42352]
(2) what representations he has received from general practitioners expressing concern about the standard of advice offered by NHS Direct; [42353]
(3) what plans he has to achieve greater co-operation between NHS Direct and general practitioners. [42354]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 11 March 2002]: During the implementation of NHS Direct, the Department had regular meetings with general practitioners bodies, including the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and the National Association of GP Co-operatives, to discuss ways in which NHS Direct and GPs could work collaboratively to improve patient care. Bodies representing GPs are also represented on the NHS Clinical Assessment System Clinical Reference Group, a national group that ensures the system used by NHS Direct is safe and reflects evidence-based best practice.
Independent evaluation by the National Audit Office and Sheffield University found evidence that NHS Direct has a good safety record, is as safe as other entry points into the NHS, and that serious adverse clinical outcomes associated with the service are likely to be rare.