The Department of Health has said that there are no immediate plans to drop the NHS Direct web service in spite of signaling the end of telephone consultations.

They have also issued a statement saying that the site will stay open in operation while the government reviews the wider use of information in the health services. This follows the confirmation that it decides to replace the NHS Direct telephone consultation service with the 11 line.

“Following the publication of the white paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, a further consultation on the NHS information strategy will inform how patients and the public will be able to access online information and services in the future. In the meantime, online services provided by NHS Choices, NHS Direct and local NHS organisations will continue to support other NHS services,” said a DoH spokesperson.

The move has caused a lot of criticism as the 111 service will be staffed primarily by non-specialist call advisers, while NHS Direct uses qualified nurses.

Pilots are scheduled to start later this year in Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Luton.