NHS Direct Closes. What do you Think?

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced the plan to close down NHS Direct in England.

As the BBC reported: “NHS Direct currently employs more than 3,000 staff, 40% of whom are trained nurses. It is understood the ratio on the 1-1-1 helpline is “slightly less” in the pilot, but no figures are yet available for what will happen when the scheme is rolled out nationally.

“Critics claim the change would undermine the quality of the service by reducing the number of qualified nurses answering calls, but chief executive of NHS Direct Nick Chapman told the BBC the new helpline would be better and more cost effective than NHS Direct.”

What do you think of the closure of NHS Direct and do you think that the new 1-1-1 service will act as a good, cost effective replacement?