The Care Quality Commission has published reports on the first three NHS 111 services that took part in a pilot to be inspected under its new methodology.
Since March, CQC has been developing a new approach to the inspection of England's NHS 111 services, using specialist inspectors accompanied by GPs, nurses and other experts. In line with CQC's other inspections, reports focus on whether services provided are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.
By September 2016, all of England's NHS 111 services will have been inspected and rated by CQC.
The three NHS 111 providers that were inspected as part of this pilot were:
- Ambulance Service , Isle of Wight: NHS 111 Pilot
- Mallard House Call Centre, West Leicestershire: NHS 111 Pilot
- North West Ambulance Trust, N/A: NHS 111 Pilot
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice, said:
"NHS 111 is an important part of the urgent care system, ensuring people have quick and easy access to health care advice and information when appropriate.
"We expect these services to demonstrate that they prioritise people with the most urgent needs at times of high demand, and to ensure that care and advice is delivered safely and effectively, and they are referred to the right service as quickly as possible when necessary.
"The way that NHS urgent and emergency care is delivered in England is changing, but people will always be entitled to services that provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care."
Full reports of the inspections are available on this website.
Ends
For media enquiries about the Care Quality Commission, please call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours. Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here. (Please note: the duty press officer is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters). For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.
More about NHS 111 services...
- Details of our consultation on how we regulate NHS 111 services
- NHS 111 services: provider handbook
People will always be entitled to services that provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice