29.05.12
Providers withdraw from bidding for NHS 111 contract
NHS 111 has come under further criticism, as doctors warn it will lead to more referrals and poorer outcomes and private sector providers drop out of the bidding process for the contract.
The 24-hour patient helpline is planned to launch in April 2013, replacing NHS Direct for patients with urgent but not life-threatening symptoms.
The BMA claims the trials will increase the number of ambulance call-outs and potentially lower the standard of care, especially for vulnerable patients. Staff working for NHS Direct, 40% of whom were trained nurses, will be replaced by call handlers with as little as six weeks training, critics say.
Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GP committee, said: “A potentially dangerous version of NHS 111 is set to burst forth upon an unsuspecting public from April. Patients may end up being sent to the wrong place, waiting longer, blocking A&E and using ambulances needlessly, when a little more consideration might make it all work properly.”
Capita, Serco and CareUKhave withdrawn from the tender process. Andy Parker, joint chief operating officer at Capita, told the Financial Times: “There were too many commercial risks, particularly around call volumes and uncertainty around transfer of staff.
“We believe it would have been a better option to transform the current service, particularly around an integrated digital solution, which would meet future demand and keep in line with government policy to encourage digital by default.”
But health minister Paul Burstow said: “NHS 111 is being introduced to make it easier for people to get the healthcare advice they need or to get to the right healthcare service first time – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“Local NHS organisations are working with GPs and other clinical professionals to decide who should provide their local 111 service. Providers could be ambulance trusts, groups of GPs, NHS Direct or private providers – whoever will give the best service for patients and the best value for money for the taxpayer.
“NHS 111 call advisers have to complete a six-week training programme which is exactly the same training as 999 operators. They are supported by nurses who work alongside them in the call centres, and nurses will always be on hand to take over if the caller needs to speak to someone with clinical skills.”
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