-----Original Message-----
From: The list will be of relevance to all trainees including
undergraduates and [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
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Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 2:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: NHS Direct
We have recently had a problem with advice given over the phone from A&E,
which has become the subject of complaint. Although NHS Direct is not my
favourite part of the Empire, perhaps the time has come for A&E to stop
giving advice over the phone. We are seriously considering refusing to give
advice to callers who are not our patients already and refer all those calls
to NHSD as a protective piece of "defensive medicine". Have others already
gone down this line? It would save us much medical and nursing time; it
would be recorded so answering complaints would be easier; the advice given
should be consistent. Sounds attractive and maybe a plus for NHSD?
Dr C C Scott, Southport AED
Yes - see earlier posting. We have set up an intercept system which
automaticaly transfers callers requesting general medical advice to NHSD.
This frees up A&E staff to do work they are trained to do and prevents dodgy
advice being administered by the student nurse/med student or whoever else
happens to pick up the phone!
Bill Bailey A&E Chesterfield
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