New number for NHS 24

Published: 23 January 2013

Responding to the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Alex Neil, that the existing number for NHS 24 will be replaced by 111 in summer 2014, RCN Scotland Director Theresa Fyffe said:

“The fact that people will no longer be charged when calling NHS 24 from a landline or mobile removes any barrier to the public using the service and should help improve access to health support and advice in the future. Introducing 111, which is as easy to remember as the emergency 999 number, should also help cut the number of those contacting emergency services to those who really need them. Given the pressures that we know are building up in A&E departments across Scotland, any steps which can help reduce these pressures are to be welcomed.”

“The RCN will be working with the Government and NHS 24 over the coming year to help implement this change, which we believe will be beneficial for the public and NHS Scotland.”