Could 888 become the new 999 for health emergencies?

Jan 23 2008

A NUMBER emergency number could be introduced instead of 999 for people needing medical attention.

NHS North West is consulting on plans to introduce an alternative to the traditional 999 emergency number for access to urgent health care.

The proposed 888 number would put callers through to a dedicated handling service that would stream out those people who need immediate response from an ambulance crew and then channel all other callers to the most appropriate service to meet their needs.

It is just one of the ideas that has been generated by social care staff, doctors, nurses and therapists who are looking at how to improve the standard and quality of care provided in the North West.

Dr Steve Ryan, a consultant paediatrician at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, said: “We believe that we have come up with some interesting ideas, from launching an 888 number to make it easier for people to access urgent health care services, particularly out of hours, to developing virtual health campuses to help support those who have long term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.

“It is really satisfying that these ideas have come from the front-line staff, who know what it is like to deal with the public on a day to day basis.”

Dr John Hussey, Patient Executive Committee Chair for Liverpool PCT said: “The NHS is constantly evolving to ensure it meets the needs of patients and is fit for purpose for the 21st century.

“This review is about the NHS and public working together to identify a local solution for improving the NHS in Liverpool, which will ensure all callers are signposted to the most appropriate service to meet their needs or are identified as needing an immediate ambulance response.”

An on-line response form is available at http://www.northwest.nhs.uk/onof/how_to_get_involved/