NHS 24 handles medical calls round the clock

The double fatal accident inquiry will be held into the deaths of Shomi Miah, from Aberdeen, and Steven Wiseman, from Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire.

Shomi, 17, died from meningitis last October and 30-year-old Steven died in December from complications after flu.

NHS 24 takes calls from people in need of medical attention round the clock.

After the deaths, relatives made formal complaints blaming delays in the way NHS 24 had dealt with the cases.

They have welcomed the inquiry, which is set to examine whether the system was working effectively.

Shomi Miah died from meningitis last October

A review of the helpline was ordered by the Scottish Executive in February amid concerns about the performance of the service.

A group set up to look into the advice service was to make recommendations on areas for improvement by May.

At the time, an executive spokesman said there had been delays in callers being phoned back at weekends.

But he played down fears that the operation was not performing, saying it was important to review any new service.

NHS 24 now has more than 1,000 clinical and support staff working 24 hours a day.

Earlier this week, the head of the NHS 24 service announced she was to step down after almost four years in the post. Christine Lenihan gave no detailed explanation but she said she was leaving after thinking "long and hard".