NHS 111 in South West still requires improvement

NHS 111 in the South West still requires improvement. Credit: PA Images

The Care Quality Commission says the NHS 111 services in Dorset and Cornwall still needs to improve.

The South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust which runs the 24 hour hotline was inspected in December and investigators found that overall the service 'requires improvement.'

NHS 111 was found to be outstanding in the category of care but needs to improve in areas of safety, effectiveness and management.

Key Findings:

  • Speed at answering calls was below national targets

  • Number of abandoned calls were below national targets

  • A large number of complaints were still being investigated

  • Cleanliness and control of infection not being managed effectively