Blackburn jobs fears over NHS Direct closure (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn jobs fears over NHS Direct closure

6:10pm Wednesday 1st September 2010 in

By Neil Docking » Reporter

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HEALTH workers in East Lancashire could lose their jobs as a result of plans to scrap the medical helpline NHS Direct.

The Department of Health says the service, which provides advice to 27,000 people a day on the number 0845 46 47, will be replaced by a new non-emergency number, 111.

The move is expected to affect 12 NHS Direct staff working at the Royal Blackburn Hospital site in Haslingden Road.

The new phone number is intended to work in a 'more efficient' and integrated way with local GPs, ambulance services and hospitals, providing health advice and information about out-of-hours GPs, walk-in centres, emergency dentists and 24 hour chemists.

But critics said members of the public would no longer be able to speak with nurses with degrees, but only call-handlers who have passed a 60-hour medical course.

And the Royal College of Nursing said it would be 'short-sighted' of ministers to axe expert nurses.

A NHS Direct spokesman said it could not comment on the future of staff working in Blackburn until three pilot schemes had been completed.

She said: “NHS Direct is working hard with all of the local health communities involved in the three ‘pathfinder’ sites for NHS 111 to make these first tests of the new approach a success for patients and the NHS in their area.

“When detailed plans are made to roll out the service nationally, we expect NHS Direct and its staff to play a key role in taking the new service forward.

“The more memorable number will clearly help patients find the new service more easily."

Comments(5)

DEO VOLENTE says...
9:28pm Wed 1 Sep 10

To be honest this is only the first of many changes to the NHS and the way it delivers services locally and Nationally. Whilst it is true that there are many hard working, conscientious health professionals within the NHS, it is also true that there is also massive amounts of waste, too much bureaucracy and too much unnecessary, "overpaid" management. Whether the move from NHS direct to the new 111 initiative is a positive or negative move is of course open to debate. The overiding factor in relation to NHS cuts is of course the "New Labour" legacy. It is a fact that
"New Labour" mismanaged the NHS they wasted Billions of pounds of taxpayers money and through PFI funding saddled trusts with massive amounts of debt for years to come. "New Labour" also instigated the disasterous "agenda for change" and through naive mismanagement increased MRSA and C DIFF. The "New Labour" project also put "Tractor Targets" before common sense, patient's health and treatment. "New Labour" are responsible for the inevitable cuts that will have to be made in the NHS. "New Labour" are responsible for the economic and moral decline of the UK. We must never allow the Politically Disorientated, Spendaholic, Champagne Socilaist, Politically (in)correct "New Labour project" back into office. Are you listening Mr Miliband?
Deus Vobiscum.