6:10pm Wednesday 1st September 2010
By Neil Docking
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."
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