West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is to hand over the running of the NHS 111 helpline in October.
The service employs approximately 450 staff at its base in Brierley Hill, but will come under control of DHU Healthcare in October, who currently runs the East Midlands 111 service.
As a result, the East and West Midlands NHS 111 services will merge and become integrated as one.
“What is important is that patients will not see any change in the way they access NHS 111 across the East and West Midlands,” WMAS chief executive Anthony Marsh said.
New 111 Helpline Providers Seeking New Local Call Centre
The contract with DCU Healthcare will last for a period of 18 months and the company is currently on the lookout for a new call centre location in Brierley Hill to cause minimum disruption to staff.
WMAS has been in control of the 111 service since 2019, taking approximately one-and-a-half-million calls each year. Once the new contract begins with DHU Healthcare, WMAS plans to focus on improving the 999 service.
Related News
- Walsall NHS Workers To Tandem Sky Dive for Well Wishers Charity
- Improvements Made To Air Quality At Walsall Manor Hospital
- Walsall Healthwatch Want Your Views On Local Pharmacies