NHS helpline moves onto the Net

NHS Direct, the UK Department of Health's (DoH) 24-hour medical helpline, is to move onto the Internet this autumn.

The move - confirmed by a DoH spokeswoman - forms part of the government's 'Healthy Nation' initiative, which Health Minister, Frank Dobson, presented to Parliament yesterday.

More than 200 access points will be set up in libraries, post offices, GP surgeries and other public areas, giving people access to a Web site containing much of the information that is already being relayed over NHS Direct's call centre lines. The site will also link to other official medical information Web sites.

The DoH spokeswoman said: "The Web site won't replace the call centre, but will provide a first port of call for people seeking advice before they go to NHS Direct."

She could not confirm how much the site will cost to set up and run, but said the money will come out of the government's NHS modernisation fund. She said more details about the service will be revealed over the summer.