From next week, anyone who needs urgent, but not life-threatening care is advised to call NHS 111 before turning up to an emergency department in London. If, following a conversation with 111, it is appropriate for someone to attend the emergency department they may be scheduled a time to attend.
A national advertising campaign will launch next week to support this change, and we will be backing this up locally with a Kingston Hospital focused campaign.
Tracey Moore, Director of Operations at Kingston Hospital said: “Thinking NHS 111 First will mean that people will be directed to the most appropriate service and may not require to attend the emergency department. These services include self-care, GP practice appointments, GP hub appointments and the Teddington Urgent Treatment Centre. For those who still need to access the emergency department, they will be given an appointment which will reduce the time that they have to wait to be seen.”
The communications campaign will encourage people with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries to continue to dial 999.
