A TROUBLED NHS phone line for non-emergency cases south of the Border has seen one of its main providers pull out over financial problems.

NHS Direct, which operates the 111 line in nine regions covering a third of England's population, said it was "seeking to withdraw from the contracts it entered into".

A spokeswoman said the contracts were financially unsustainable.

While officials have ­promised patients who live in affected areas will "continue to receive a prompt and safe service", health unions warned some parts of the service were "in chaos".

The 111 service has been riddled with controversy since its inception from April 1. The line suffered many teething problems, with patients complaining of calls going unanswered, poor advice given and calls being diverted to the wrong part of the country.

Just a month after its launch, leading medics warned the roll-out of the system left many patients not knowing where to turn.

NHS England launched an investigation into the advice line after a number of potentially serious incidents, including three deaths, were linked to the service.

NHS Direct originally won 11 of the 46 contracts for the 111 line across England.

It previously announced it would be unable to provide the service in North Essex and Cornwall, but now it is also planning to stop providing the service in a number of other areas after projecting a £26 million deficit for the coming financial year.

Chief executive Nick Chapman said: "We will continue to provide a safe and reliable NHS 111 service until alternative arrangements can be made."