UNISON calls for 111 service deadline to be relaxed 17/02/2012

UNISON, the UK's largest union, today gives its backing to calls for the deadline for the roll out of the 111 service to be relaxed. The union wants the roll out to be delayed so that the results of the 111 pilots can be properly evaluated and their lessons learnt so that patients are fully protected.

The union is also concerned that the regionalised roll out of the new service will make it harder to co-ordinate responses to national health emergencies.

Michael Walker, UNISON national officer, said:

"We cannot gamble with patient care. Our members tell us there were real problems with the pilots for the 111 service and we are concerned that if the government rushes to roll it out, patients will suffer.

"We are calling on the government to relax the deadline for the roll out of the 111 service until the in-depth report into the pilots is completed, and we have had time to consider its conclusions and learn lessons from them.

"UNISON is concerned that the regionalised roll out of the 111 service will mean we can't make national plans if there is a health emergency. We need time to make sure this ability to plan centrally is not lost."