Table 1.
Characteristics of NHS Direct service in the three sites for first wave of service
| Site
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton Keynes | Preston and Chorley | Northumbria | |
| Host organisation | Ambulance service trust | Ambulance service trust | Ambulance service trust |
| Population served | 185 000 | 370 000 | 757 000 |
| Population type | Mainly urban | Mixed urban and rural | Inner city, surrounding conurbation, and large rural area |
| Staffing | Call handlers and nurses in single call centre | Call handlers in call centre, nurses in two accident and emergency departments | Call handlers and nurses in single call centre |
| Decision support software | Centramax | Telephone Advice System | Personal Health Advisor |
| No of calls in first year | 23 842 | 23 787 | 20 877 |
| Annual call rate per 1000 population | 129 | 64 | 28 |