NHS Direct

[archiestaffy]

Has anyone use this service? What are your opinions on it?

[imajenarry]

we used it a few times now.most recently today-i think i've broken my toe!it's very helpful.firstly you talk to someone to give all your details and what your query is and shortly after a health professional (usually a nurse)phones you back and advises you on your medical problem/query and as in my case today whether you can self treat and giving the relevant advice or whether you need to seek medical attention.

[joby1]

In my experience if would of been quicker to go to A and E, be treated, then put on a ward overnight! :-))

[Carakeel]

And a lot more costly joby1, but I take your point. I have used NHS Direct several times and they have been very helpful. It does however often take far too long for a doctor to ring when needed. It is a very good service with space for improvement.

[imajenarry]

i think they are just really busy.worth the wait though.much better than having to trek to doctors surgery/walk in centre/a+e unnecessarily and having to wait there to be seen.

[Eve]

They were great when my friend called them when I was decidedly not well and thinking it was a reaction to some medicine I was taking.

They would not let my friend move me or take me anywhere herself and called the ambulance for me themselves. It screamed up about 10 mins laters light and sirens going and the paramedics had already been breiefed and knew what they were looking for, ended up in the infectious diseases unit of a local hospital having a lumbar puncture and the doctor explaining they were certain i had meningitis!

They could have saved my life by acting so promptly.

[dan no1]

i used it a while ago. they were very helpful and friendly. i'd ring it again if i needed to.

[pingu748]

Nothing but praise ... used them 3x in 2 years ..

[jno]

they usually take about 30 minutes to ring back; I've waited up to 3 hours in casualty. But of course it's only phone advice, they don't actually see you; if you have something wrong that clearly needs inspection, A&E has to be it. But I have no complaint about NHS Direct; it's been my doctor's out-of-hours service for years.

[Agent_Smith]

i have used NHS direct and i have nothing but praise for them!