NHS Direct

HC Deb 26 February 2003 vol 400 cc628-9W

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy that NHS Direct retain its responsibility for out-of-hours calls. [99084]

Mr. Lammy

We are working towards implementing the NHS Plan target that by the end of 2004, a single phone-call to NHS Direct will be a one-stop gateway to out-of-hours healthcare, passing on calls, where necessary to the appropriate service provider.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is his policy that NHS Direct nurses will be the first point of contact for all out-of-hours calls by the end of 2004. [99089]

Mr. Lammy

We are working towards implementing the NHS Plan target that by the end of 2004, a single phone-call to NHS Direct will be a one-stop gateway to out-of-hours healthcare, passing on calls, where necessary to the appropriate service provider. This first point of contact could be a qualified call handler or NHS Direct nurse.