Waste of public fund (NHS Direct)

Member Name: kamal

Product:	NHS Direct
Date:	18/02/09 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Not really helpful. Good if you just want some mental councelling or timepass.

Due to lack of proper NHS service in this country during weekends, I had to use NHS-Direct telephone service twice. Personally, I found the service totally useless and waste of time. It is bunch of fresh graduates sitting in the call centre, flipping through the manuals and flow-charts to take you through series of irrelavent questions and test your patience.

First time when we called couple of years ago, when I had a fever. They went through very very lengthy questioning process. I could clearly make out that they are reading through manuals and QA guide. They clealy lack common sense. After non-conclusive 15 minutes on the phone, I hanged up.

Next time when my baby fell down and had some blood comming out of the mouth, I called them again. The QA session was very funny, but I did not find the funny side when my baby was crying..

Q - How Can I help
Me - My baby fell down, and I can see some blood in his mouth. He is not crying anymore and now playing. but I am bit worried.

Q - Is he concious ?
Me - Offcourse, I said that he is playing at the moment.

Q - Is he breathing ?
Me - F***Off.. (HANGED UP)..

I now go to A&E instead if there is a need for urgency. Or call my doctor friend for advise and take over the counter medicine.

Internet is the best resource compared to NHS direct service.

Summary: Just talk and no real help.