The north-west of England service says repeat medication orders on bank holidays add unnecessary pressure.
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NHS emergency services face a potentially devastating Christmas, as a head of the service has warned that unnecessary 111 calls could put lives at risk.
In an interview following his warnings, John Healey Leader of the NHS 111 Trust said while the majority of those calling 111 are in genuine need of assistance, many were simply seeking medical advice or seeking a doctor to visit them in their homes.
He said: “If we receive too many of these types of calls, it could mean we don’t get to those who are genuinely in need of urgent medical help – and that could be life-threatening.”
He added: “It is absolutely essential that people use the NHS wisely over the festive period and only call 111 if they have an urgent medical concern or emergency.”
The 111 service itself has also seen an increase in demand over the last year as the pandemic has been accompanied by an increase in people seeking medical help and advice.
Today, the NHS has more than ten times as many calls as they normally do. This overload threatens the system’s ability to respond efficiently and to get help to those who are in need.
People are being reminded to consider the NHS’ advice when it comes to using the 111 service, especially over the Christmas period. If it is not an emergency, people should use NHS services such as their own GP or local pharmacies.
If it is an emergency, it is advised to get help immediately, using the 999 number and only calling the 111 service if it is an urgent medical concern.
Follow this advice, Mr Healey said, and NHS services will be able to provide the level of care that they are intended to. He concluded: “We know that the Christmas period can be a time of real stress and worry for families – but if everyone does their bit to keep unnecessary 111 calls to a minimum then NHS staff will be better placed to provide the level of care that people in genuine need really deserve.”
