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Uncertainty over NHS Direct closures

Nurses at NHS Direct face uncertainty over their jobs, following claims from health union Unison that NHS Direct is set to close 24 of its 30 call centres. However, NHS Direct said it had not yet made a decision on closures.

Nurses at NHS Direct face uncertainty over their jobs, following claims from health union Unison that NHS Direct is set to close 24 of its 30 call centres. However, NHS Direct said it had not yet made a decision on closures.

Nick Chapman, NHS Direct chief executive, said: 'Unison's fears 50 per cent of frontline staff will lose their jobs are unfounded. The DH has agreed NHS Direct's frontline staff will be offered the opportunity to move into a job providing the new 111 service with other providers where NHS Direct is not the chosen provider of the 111 service in an area.'

Earlier this month, evaluation of NHS 111 pilots showed these have not yet delivered cost savings.