NHS Direct: managing demand for primary care?

NHS direct: managing demand for primary care?

This paper considers how NHS Direct is affecting demand for primary care in particular out-of-hours services from GPs. This is reviewed through a 3-year study of NHS Direct and HARMONI, the integrated telephone health helpline based in West London. It describes the policy background and development of the services on the site, and some of the outcomes of the HARMONI commissioned research to ans...

Impact of NHS direct on demand for immediate care: observational study.

OBJECTIVES To quantify the impact of NHS Direct on the use of accident and emergency, ambulance, and general practitioner cooperative services. DESIGN Observational study of trends in use of NHS Direct and other immediate care services over 24 months spanning introduction of NHS Direct. SETTING Three areas in England in first wave of introduction of NHS Direct, and six nearby general practi...

NHS direct.

A s recognised by the National Audit Office, in just five years, NHS Direct has established an impressive track record for customer satisfaction and patient safety, empowering patients to make better informed choices about their own healthcare. It has also clearly identified its potential to contribute to wider developments in the NHS. Building on this success the government is investing in NHS...

Managing hypoglycemia in primary care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Compare the risk of hypoglycemia among glucose-lowering agents. Identify patient risk factors and behaviors that increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Describe techniques physicians may use to identify patients at risk for hypoglycemia. Describe patient education strategies regarding hypoglycemia.

Managing Alzheimer's disease in primary care.