Posted: Mon 22nd Mar 2021

Free NHS 111 helpline finally looks set to arrive in North Wales this year

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Monday, Mar 22nd, 2021

The long-awaited free NHS 111 helpline finally looks set to be rolled out in North Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The non-emergency service, which operates 24 hours a day, was first piloted in Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea in 2016. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

After the scheme was deemed a success, it was later announced in 2018 that it would be introduced across Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However, there have been a number of delays to the helpline’s arrival in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The hold ups attracted criticism from some politicians, with people in the region continuing to have to pay for calls to NHS Direct Wales to seek non-emergency medical advice. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Towards the end of last year, Health Minister Vaughan Gething indicated the 111 service would not be fully established in the area until 2022, but a report to Welsh Ambulance Service officials shows it could start to be brought in from this summer. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The latest update from the service’s chief executive Jason Killens states: “Whilst we reflect on how busy 2020 was for the 111 service in terms of supporting the pandemic response and receiving over 840,000 calls and answering over 580,000 calls (85%), the team are already in the middle of planning for another extremely challenging year. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“2021 will see a year of growth and development; new services, new systems, new staff and site expansions. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Along with Contact First, 111 will continue to roll out this year, with BCUHB planned for the summer. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“To support the significant developments within the 111 service, new IT systems and equipment is being delivered.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The free-to-call 111 service combines the NHS Direct Wales advice line for non-999 health calls with the out-of-hours GPs and the Welsh Ambulance Service. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

While 999 should always be used in emergency situations, the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing health information, advice and access to urgent out-of-hours primary care. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It allows GPs, pharmacists and nurses and call-handlers to arrange appointments, prescriptions, advice and home visits. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Mr Killens continued: “To support the service delivery, we are in the process of recruiting 90+ call handers and 55 clinicians, as well as a number of additional supportive staff; supervisors, management roles and senior clinical posts. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The team are currently in the process of planning and providing training, and developing both Vantage Point House and Ty Elwy (St Asaph) to provide appropriate accommodation.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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