NHS 111 service to take calls out-of-hours across Shropshire from July

People who need urgent GP out-of-hours medical help or advice will have to call 111 from July 3.

The current Shropdoc telephone number will no longer be in use from that date.

Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin clinical commissioning groups say the 111 service will replace the current out-of-hours telephone service in line with national policy.

Bosses have confirmed that any patients who need to see a clinician out-of-hours will still be seen by a local GP.

Christine Morris, executive nurse and deputy chief officer for Telford and Wrekin CCG, said: "We want to assure our patients that our priority is to ensure that local people have continued access to out-of-hours GP primary care if they need it, but in using 111 it also makes it easier for patients to access other services like dentistry if they have an urgent need.

“The current GP out-of-hours service will continue to be provided by Shropdoc, who will still provide the clinical service to patients who need a face-to-face GP appointment.”

Dr Russell Muirhead, chairman of Shropdoc, said: “We are working with Care UK, the organisation that provides the NHS111 service, to ensure that the integration of our two services continues to provide a safe and quality service for our patients.”

Shropdoc’s contract with the CCGs will end on September 30.

The NHS 111 service is now offered across the whole of England.

It is free and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.