Filed under: In the news
![Doctors warn that new 111 helpline could put patients at risk]()
PA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that there are "serious problems" with the free 111 number that will replace NHS Direct in England from April 2013.
The Telegraph reports that David Cameron announced the launch of the free 111 number in October last year. He claimed that it would make the NHS "a 24/7" service and would help to reduce unnecessary trips to A&E.
It is intended to be the single point of contact for non-emergency care outside of normal surgery hours, and would also enable patients to book appointments with their GP.
However, following a number of pilot schemes, the BMA says that doctors have identified a numbers of problems and concerns with the service and want the roll-out to be slowed down so that these issues can be resolved.
In a letter to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, doctors warn that rushing to meet the April deadline "could lead to serious unintended consequences."
Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA's GP committee, wrote that doctors want the roll-out "slowed down, to allow for proper evaluation of the pilots" and to allow a "flexible deadline".
He told The Telegraph: "If there isn't a pause then the Government could end up implementing something which doesn't work to the benefit of all patients, which could unnecessarily overburden the ambulance service and GP surgeries, reduce the quality of existing out-of-hours services and ultimately cost the taxpayer a lot of money."
He warned that the strict deadline meant that lessons might not be learned from the pilots meaning that "mistakes will just be repeated".
Last month it was reported that they had been nine "serious untoward incidents" during the pilots, including patients being told to contact their GP when they needed "a higher level of care".
The
Daily Mail reports that some concerns about the pilot schemes related to the training of medical staff and whether they will be qualified to direct patients to the right help.
Nevertheless, it seems that doctors broadly support the 111 service, but just need more time to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Dr Buckman said: "More flexibility would allow clinical commissioners to get properly involved in how NHS 111 is being rolled out in their area, making sure it is sensitive to local need.
"GPs are happy to work with NHS 111 to iron out any problems, but they need time in order to do that."
The 111 number is currently being piloted in County Durham and Darlington, Luton. Nottingham City and Lincolnshire.
The Telegraph reported that Anne Milton, the Public Health Minister, responded to the letter saying: "The BMA supports the principles of the NHS 111 service - it will benefit patients by improving access to NHS services and ensuring they get the right care at the right time.
"We will consider the BMA's concerns. We agree that any long-term decision should be made with full approval from local commissioning groups."
Do you think that the 111 number is a good idea? Let us know below...
Click on the image below to find out which foods aren't as healthy as they look...
- Ready-made salads
<p>
Putting the word 'salad' at the end of a food description doesn't make it healthy, unfortunately. So watch out for high-fat dressings, mayo and add-ons like cheese and croutons. Your best bet is to make your own; short of that, opt for a salad with vegetables and a protein and top off with a balsamic vinaigrette.</p>
![Ready-made salads]()
- Cereal
<p>
While cereals are vitamin-fortified, they may not be the best start to your day since many are still packed with sugar (a recent report from the U.S. found that several have more sugar per serving than a handful of chocolate chip cookies). If you love starting your morning off with a bowlful, then choose a cereal with high fibre content and under 10g (ideally under 5g) of sugar per serving.</p>
![Cereal]()
- Energy bars
<p>
If you're trying to stave off calories with a meal replacement energy bar, you may be consuming more than you bargained for. Many are filled with added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and saturated fats, not to mention loads of calories. Be sure to read the nutrition label - some energy bars have more in common with candy bars than you'd like.</p>
![Energy bars]()
- Turkey burger
<p>
If you think ditching red meat from your diet and replacing that hamburger with a 'lean' turkey burger is a healthy option, think again. Depending on the type of turkey used, the meal can be just as high in fat and calories as its beef alternative. </p>
![Turkey burger]()
- Muffins
<p>
If you've conned yourself into thinking that muffins are healthy (they have blueberries! and bran!) it's time for a reality check. They are high in calories, fat and sugar - it's like eating cake for breakfast.</p>
![Muffins]()
- Sports drinks
<p>
Sure, they give you an energy boost, but consuming too many sports and energy drinks can also leave you jittery from caffeine and can wear down tooth enamel from all of the acidity, sugars and additives.</p>
![Sports drinks]()
- Dried fruit
<p>
While dried fruit might seem like a healthy snack alternative, watch the quantity you consume - since there's no water in it to fill you up, it's easy to guzzle handfuls at once which piles on the calories. It also has a high concentration of sugar.</p>
![Dried fruit]()
- Reduced fat and fat-free foods
<p>
While 'fat-free' and reduced-fat foods may sound like a blissful invention, they can actually lead you to consume more (since they seem 'healthier'). The fat is often replaced with other undesirable alternatives like added sugar and salt. </p>
![Reduced fat and fat-free foods]()
- Smoothies
<p>
Smoothies shouldn't be a fruit replacement - they have lots of sugar and are high in calories (a large size can give you over 500 in one go). Also, if you're ordering the drink in a shop, it could get blended with ice cream - delicious, yes, but not ideal for a weight-loss regimen.</p>
![Smoothies]()
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