THE North-East makes NHS history today by piloting the UK’s first non-emergency version of 999.

From today, people in County Durham and Darlington who need non-emergency medical assistance when their doctor’s surgery is closed should ring 111.

In a new approach, expected to be extended across the country, callers at weekends and evenings with a nonemergency medical problem will be put through to trained call-handlers.

The handlers, based at the North-East Ambulance Service control centre in Newcastle, will use computer software to help them decide what service the caller needs.

The call-handlers are supported by nurses who will assess symptoms.

For example, if a child is running a fever overnight and a parent wants a doctor to visit their home, the call-handler will put the caller in touch with their local out-ofhours service.

Callers could also use 111 to find out where the nearest 24- hour chemist is or where they can see an emergency out-ofhours dentist.

The call-handlers can also send ambulances or paramedics immediately if the call is assessed as an emergency.

Bosses at NHS County Durham and Darlington hope the service will reduce the number of people visiting busy hospital accident and emergency units, where they can sometimes wait for hours to be seen for a relatively minor health problem.

The 111 service is available round the clock. Like 999 calls, calling 111 is free from landlines and mobile phones.

According to the circumstances, callers could be asked to go to the nearest urgent care centre or walk-in treatment centre.

But if the matter can wait until the morning, callers could also be given a next day appointment at their doctor’s surgery.

And if the call is assessed as needing immediate attention, an out-of-hours doctor or nurse will make a home visit.

A limited transport service to transfer patients to the nearest urgent care or walk-in centre will be provided by a company called Durham Urgent Care Transport, which has six vehicles that can accommodate a wheelchair.