The figures were produced by the doctors’ union the BMA, which has had long-standing concerns over NHS 111. Doctors’ leaders say increased referrals mean more pressure on already overstretched GPs and hospitals. NHS England says the 111 service is meeting increasing demand. A spokesman said the proportion of referrals to GPs and emergency services had remained steady despite a surge in calls. But the BMA is concerned that the service is not delivering appropriate advice to some patients and this means some are being incorrectly directed to busy hospitals and GP surgeries.
The BMA looked at the outcomes of calls to NHS 111, which was rolled out in March 2013 to replace the old NHS Direct service. In its final full year of operation in 2011-12, NHS Direct received 4.4 million calls from patients. In comparison, calls to NHS 111 increased year-on-year and in 2014 (up to November) it received and responded to more than 15.4 million calls. Referrals from NHS 111 to A&E increased from just under 400,000 calls in 2013 to over a million in 2014. Similarly, referrals to GPs went up from just under 3 million to 8 million between 2013 and 2014.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31119807
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