The government's NHS Direct telephone service will be formally rolled out across England today as ministers step up their efforts to ensure that it becomes the main "gateway" to the health service. Alan Milburn, the health secretary, will announce that the service, which is staffed by nurses, will handle 5m calls a year by 2004, turning it into the national telephone line for the NHS.
All patients, except those in need of emergency care, will be encouraged to telephone NHS Direct as a first step in their treatment.
Ministers hope that this will improve efficiency by reducing the number of telephone calls to local GPs or to accident and emergency units.
NHS Direct staff make an assessment of a patient's need before offering advice which can range from encouragement to stay in bed for minor conditions to making an appointment to see a GP or to go to hospital. Under the new plans, NHS Direct will handle initial telephone inquiries on behalf of GPs' surgeries.
Ministers are bracing themselves for a confrontation with GPs who are said to be nervous about NHS Direct taking on their work.
Tony Blair will today hail NHS Direct as one of the greatest examples of how Labour has modernised the NHS.
Since NHS Direct was launched in March 1998 it has handled 3.5m calls, and it is hoping to be taking an average of about 100,000 a week by the end of this year. The service has been particularly popular among young mothers - 61% use the service regularly.
Mr Milburn is expected to say today that the NHS Direct telephone number - 0845 4647 - "looks set to become as well known and as well used as the emergency 999 number".
