Yesterday I visited the NHS Direct Contact Centre in Old Swan to met Nicola Williams the North West Director of NHS Direct and the fantastic team who work there.
NHS Direct is a vital part of our health service; it provides an instant service for patients with serious medical problems, saves unnecessary trips to see GP’s or to the hospital and can be used to check out symptoms or for general health enquires.
NHS Direct saved Liverpool PCT £1.9m in efficiencies last year by reducing demand elsewhere in the NHS. It also saved Liverpool fifteen thousand inappropriate A&E and 999 attendances and 20 thousand avoidable GP visits.
I was shown how the call system worked by the lovely Marilyn, a call advisor. All the staff are trained nurses and calls are confidential.
If you are feeling unwell you can call NHS Direct on: 0845 4647 - they are open 24-hours a day.
You can also call them on this number if you have a non-urgent medical query, or would like information about another health related issue.
Their website NHS choices is also packed full of useful health advise and information. You can also use it to find your nearest NHS GP, hospital or dentist.
