NHS Direct Phoneline

0845 4647

It may eventually prove a partial substitute to calling out a family doctors out of surgery hours.

However, some doctors are still worried that it is ill-equipped to replace the out-of-hours services they are currently legally obliged to provide.

The government is spendng �70m a year to provide NHS Direct, which is also available on the internet at at information points in pharmacies, train stations and even supermarkets.

It can offer advice on a variety of minor ailments, and refer on more serious complaints to GPs and A&E departments.

'Friendly, reliable'

Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "NHS Direct has proved to be a big success with patients and has provided invaluable healthcare information and advice to more than three million callers since its launch.

"They like the round-the-clock access to the friendly, reliable and reassuring advice provided by NHS Direct.

"NHS is an integral part of the NHS - it is not a substitute for the vital work carried out throughout the NHS, but it can help patients avoid unnecessary visits and call outs to GPs, ambulances and hospitals, which will in turn help the NHS."

There are still concerns that the lack of face-to-face consultation could mean that some complaints are missed.

A recent survey by Health Which? magazine found that the nurses staffing the helplines did make some mistakes when deciding whether some illnesses needed urgent medical attention.

The service currently takes approximately 60,000 calls a week already, and this should rise to 100,000 by the end of the year.

An accompanying book, the NHS Direct Healthcare Guide is to be made available free through Safeway supermarkets.