More than one million people use NHS 111 online

NHS England has announced that one million people have benefited from dedicated NHS online support for coronavirus since the launch of NHS 111 online on 4 March.

The update to 111 online was launched to help people get quick advice about coronavirus, as enquiries to the health service about the outbreak, have surged. Now, enquiries have reached a record high of more than 210,000 in a single day.

New data revealed that telephone calls to NHS 111 were up by more than a third compared with the same time last year, with an extra 120,000 calls to NHS 111 in the first week of March. Approximately 500 additional initial call responders have already been trained, an increase of 20 per cent.

Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “NHS staff continue to work around the clock to ensure everyone gets the care, advice and support that they need to deal with coronavirus. With more than one million people using the new online service, 111 online is helping people to get specific information and advice at the touch of a button, helping to give people quick advice, increase capacity in the NHS and free up clinicians’ time. To stay well and help stop the spread, people should wash their hands, cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze and put used tissues in the bin immediately.”