FURTHER improvements are needed to the NHS 111 service in Somerset after a patients’ survey found the quality of service it provides was “not consistent” across the county. The NHS 111 service provides advice on non-emergency conditions, with those who call being assessed over the phone by healthcare professionals and then directed to the most appropriate facilities in their location. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the Somerset service (which is provided by Devon Doctors Ltd) in July 2020, and found people were not being triaged or treated quickly enough. A new report by Healthwatch Somerset has found that some improvements have been made since the inspection, but more work is needed to ensure all residents get the same quality and speed of diagnosis and treatment.
Bruton Pharmacy will offer doses to residents in the Community Hall, Silver Street, Bruton. The news comes as Boots pharmacy, in Taunton High Street, started offering the jab today (February 4). “We are really pleased to see the opening of two further vaccination sites within Somerset, to help people to access their vaccinations as easily and quickly as possible, said Dr Alex Murray, clinical director at the NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group. “We are very grateful to our local pharmacy colleagues who have been working round the clock to put local plans in place to enable more people to be vaccinated in the community in these new locations.
The 6 things needed to improve NHS 111 service in Somerset
One in 20 called 999 or went to A&E after not receiving a call back
13:39, 1 FEB 2021
A worker in a NHS 111 call centre (Image: Manchester Evening News)
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