Background
NHS Direct handles around 6.5 million telephone calls a year and its website attracts more than 1.5m visits each month. NHS Direct takes the strain off other parts of the health service by using their tried and tested triage and assessment system. It helps people look after themselves at home where appropriate – roughly 40 per cent of all calls to NHS Direct are dealt with without needing to be referred on to other NHS services – and allocate more severe cases to the most appropriate health professionals or hospitals.