NHS: 111 Telephone Service

Baroness Jolly Excerpts

Monday 13th May 2013 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

I take the noble Lord’s point. That is why the 111 service has been created; there is no doubt that there was a very confusing landscape in which people did not know who to call out of hours, and they did not necessarily have the telephone number of the out of hours provider in their area. The 111 service is designed to simplify all that, and across the vast bulk of England people are getting a good, if not fantastic, service. Unfortunately, in two areas of the country, the south-east and the south-west, we are still seeing problems arising, and those are being gripped.

[Baroness Jolly]

My Lords, the out of hours services, the ambulance services, A&E and these 111 services need to work in a harmonious and co-ordinated way for the good not only of the patient but of the service as a whole. Will the Minister reassure the House that the 111 service will be part of the review of urgent and emergency services being led by Sir Bruce Keogh?

[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.