The South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) reported a significant improvement in response times for NHS 111 calls, with the average waiting period dropping to “just over two minutes” in September this year.
This marks a considerable reduction from the previous winter when average wait times soared to 40 minutes.
Facing a surge in calls during the winter months, SCAS has undertaken proactive measures by training additional call handlers and clinicians, including General Practitioners (GPs), to enhance the efficiency of the 111 service.
Paul Jefferies, the Assistant Director of Operations, emphasized the importance of the public “making the right call” when deciding between dialing 999 and using the NHS 111 service. SCAS, covering Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire, attributes the heightened demand during winter to cold weather exacerbating existing health conditions and the prevalence of flu, Covid-19, and respiratory illnesses.
Jefferies acknowledged the added challenges that winter brings to the NHS and urged the public to consider their options carefully before reaching out for emergency or urgent health needs. He stressed that calling 999 should be reserved for serious or life-threatening emergencies, ensuring that resources are available for immediate assistance to those in critical need.
In September, SCAS reported that 72% of NHS 111 calls were answered within 120 seconds, with an average response time of 2 minutes and 7 seconds.
