Confidential healthcare advice is now available throughout Swindon for the price of a local telephone call thanks to the launch of a pioneering NHS Direct helpline.
The 24-hour nurse-led helpline was first launched as a pilot scheme in 1998 and proved to be a success handling between 50,000 to 60,000 calls every week.
It has now become a national service and is expected to handle between five and six million calls by the end of the year. The line provides confidential information on what to do if people feel unwell and just what health and support services are available locally.
"This is just one of many ways we are making health care more flexible and ensuring services are available to all of us and where we need them," said Wiltshire Health Authority Chief Executive Jeremy Hallet.
The NHS Direct number is 08 45 46 47 .
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