Unions have urged the government to slow down the roll out of the new non-emergency NHS telephone service amid fears a lack of nursing input could increase pressure on other services.

NHS 111 is due to replace NHS Direct from April 2013. But unlike NHS Direct, which is a national service, contracts for NHS 111 are being offered to providers on a regional or local basis and at cheaper cost.

The RCN and Unison claims it will mean fewer registered nurses are employed to provide advice, which will increase pressure on accident and emergency departments and other parts of the urgent care system.

Latest data from NHS 111 pilots shows attendances at A&E departments have actually risen at three out of the four sites – increasing by 12% in Nottingham City, 6% in Luton and 4% in Lincolnshire. The longest running pilot in County Durham and Darlington has seen a 3% decline.

via Nursing Times.