New phone number to link up families with medical care out of town

For families experiencing a medical need away from their home town, a new free number has been given the go ahead to help patients access non-emergency healthcare.

Accessible 24 hours a day, the number 111 will assess a caller’s need to make sure they get the right service in their locality.

Despite various services such as walk-in centres, GP services and minor injuries units, patients are still confused about where to go for non-emergency medical care, especially when away from their home city.

The scheme will be piloted in the North East, East of England and the East Midlands before potentially being rolled out nationwide.

Health Minister Mike O’Brien said: “Patients have told us that they need clear, easy advice on how to find healthcare quickly when its less urgent than 999 and I am delighted that Ofcom has allocated 111 for these purposes. Our research with the public showed a strong preference for 111 over any other three-digit numbers because it is easy to remember.

The Department of Health will be ensuring the NHS makes the new service compliment existing healthcare provisions.