New role for NHS 24

Sandy Forrest, the recently appointed chief executive of NHS 24, has ambitions to develop the out-of-hours medical helpline beyond its original remit. He tells The Herald today that its nurse advisers could play an important role in extending GP surgery hours by answering calls for doctors and making an assessment of the course of treatment required, as they do for people who contact NHS 24 directly. They could also support patients with long-term health problems and issue reminders to those about to undergo planned surgery. Their taking on of such duties would, presumably, mean fewer doctors would be required during daytime, freeing some up to see patients in the evenings and at weekends.