Services

NHS 24 delivers a number of key services that aim to help make a difference to people’s health across Scotland, working in close partnership with NHS Health Boards, NHS professionals and the public.

Out of Hours Core Service

NHS 24's core service is an out of hours confidential telephone health advice and referral service. Currently more than 90% of calls are made to NHS 24 during the out of hours period when GP surgeries are closed (evenings, weekends, public holidays); 50% of those calls are made at weekends.

Website

NHS 24’s website – www.nhs24.com – has a wide range of health advice and information available.

The website also has details of around 3000 support groups as well information on many common health complaints, self diagnosis tools and details of local health services.

Health Information Service

NHS 24’s Health Information Service has a wide range of information about illnesses and conditions, treatments, NHS services and other support services

It also provides details of all pharmacies, GP practices and dental practices in Scotland and has details about health campaigns and current health issues.

Callers to the service on 0800 224488 will speak to a Health Information Advisor, who can give advice and information on how you can look after your own and your family’s health.

The Health Information Service is also available online at www.nhs24.com or you can send an e-mail with your question.

Breathing Space

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phoneline service for any individual, who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to.

The service was launched in Glasgow in 2002, and became a national phoneline service in 2004. The phoneline is open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday - 6am Monday) and from 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday to Thursday).

Living Life

NHS Living Life was launched in August 2008 and, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques, it provide advice and guidance for people who have symptoms of mild to moderate depression.

NHS Living Life offers two types of telephone intervention and support:

• Living Life Guided Self Help (CBT with a self-help coach, available throughout Scotland)
• Living Life Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT with a therapist, only available in certain health boards*)

*NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (west Dumbartonshire), Lothian, Borders, Western Isles, Shetland, Orkney and NHS Highland.

Special helplines

NHS 24 hosts helplines for health boards in Scotland. These special helplines are designed to give the public information and reassurance at times of public health incidents such as an outbreak of salmonella or E-coli.

Supporting GP Surgeries

NHS 24 supports all GP surgeries in Scotland by taking calls from their patients when they close for staff training and development.

Called Protected Learning Time, this currently allows surgeries to close for, on average, half a day, eight times a year.

In 2009/10, NHS 24 covered a total of 286 hours of Protected Learning Time for GP surgeries.

Scottish Emergency Dental Service

The Scottish Emergency Dental Service, which is a fully integrated part of NHS 24, provides patients with emergency dental issues access to telephone assessment by dental nurses and if required, referral to local boards for treatment, during the out-of-hours period.

Scottish Centre For Telehealth

The Scottish Centre for Telehealth became integrated into NHS 24 on April 1, 2010. Hosted by NHS Grampian since it was established, the SCT was set up to advise and assist health boards in the delivery of telehealth solutions.

The centre uses communications technology to put patients in contact with the NHS from a distance, for example, by using video conferencing and photo assessment. As part of NHS 24, the centre will strive to ensure the benefits of new technology become embedded across the NHS in Scotland.

 

reviewed 22 April 2010