NHS 111 online to help people with Coronavirus

A new NHS 111 online service has been put in place to help people get quick advice about coronavirus. 

The service aims to help deal with the volume of enquiries relating to coronavirus and has given advice to over 70,000 since it launched on Wednesday. More than 35,000 people used the site in a single day over the weekend to get advice. 

The NHS in England is also investing an initial extra £1.7 million into the 111 service so it can offer more clinical advice over the phone. 

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said: 

“NHS staff are working round the clock to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. 

“We know that 111 call volumes have been high and people have understandably turned to the service for help, support and advice which is why we are ploughing in £1.7 million to increase staff available to field calls. 

“The public is also benefitting from the new NHS 111 online service which is helping increase capacity and free up clinicians’ time by offering specific help and advice on coronavirus at the touch of a button and has already had more than 70,000 hits since launched on Wednesday. 

“I would like to say a personal thank you to all NHS staff who are doing an incredibly job caring for patients, testing thousands of worried people and taking calls from thousands more.”

Everyone can play their part in slowing the spread of coronavirus by washing their hands regularly, covering their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, putting used tissues in the bin immediately and following public health advice from reliable sources.