Evaluating NHS Direct

摘要

The creation of NHS Direct reflects a number of different political and policy concerns. One is consumerism and the growth of the 24 hour society. Another is the need for demand management against a background of growing demand for primary and emergency care and problems in recruiting and retaining nurses and general practitioners. Is the recently announced expansion of NHS Direct supported by its preliminary evaluation? This has been reported as showing that it is a success, but a closer look at the detailed results reveals a more equivocal picture.