NHS: 111 Telephone Service

Lord Tomlinson Excerpts

Monday 13th May 2013 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

I am very glad that my noble friend has raised that issue. Sir Bruce Keogh is indeed looking across the piece at urgent and emergency care services, and that will include the way in which 111 is working.

[Lord Tomlinson]

Does the Minister accept that Sir Bruce looking at these questions is not necessarily a comfort? Sir Bruce looked at accident and emergency services in south London but, based on what the Minister has said today about the pressure on accident and emergency services, Sir Bruce came to the wrong conclusion about Lewisham accident and emergency.

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I hope the noble Lord will understand that I cannot comment on Lewisham because it is sub judice. I do not accept that the advice that Sir Bruce gave was ill founded.