NHS 24 'sucks up money like a Hoover'

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 21:51

THE Scottish Government was urged to explore alternatives to the NHS 24 phoneline.

Dr John Garner, a GP in Edinburgh, said NHS 24 had been criticised for delays in answering calls and high staff absence.

"It has also sucked up money out of the health service budget like a Dyson Hoover," he said.

"Latest accounts for 2007/8 show its revenue budget was 54 million. And remember, this is just for telephone answering services, not for seeing patients."

Dr Garner told the BMA conference in Liverpool that though parts of the service had improved, some people were being sent to hospital when they did not need to go.

John Turner, NHS 24 chief executive, said: "NHS 24 is a fully integrated part of NHS Scotland."