NHS hotline consultancy costs attacked

Patients will be able to speak directly to medical staff

The cost of hiring consultants to advise on the setting up of a 24-hour NHS patients' hotline has been condemned by a leading medical figure.

The National Health Service was reportedly charged £500,000 for eight weeks' work by private consultants helping to create the hotline.

But the Scottish Executive defended the costs for establishing NHS 24 as an "investment for the future".

The team of 13 computer and staff experts cost £13,000 a day, according to reports in the Sunday Mail newspaper.

And they have still to deliver their report.

Dr Harden: Advice is available from other sources

The hotline is designed to reduce demands on GPs and give patients access to instant medical advice.

Dr Kenneth Harden, chair of the Scottish GP committee of the British Medical Association condemned the money involved.

He told the newspaper: "These are extraordinary large amounts of money to spend when advice is available from other sources.

"I find these figures extremely interesting and I will be asking the Scottish Executive about them."

A Scottish Executive spokesman defended the investment.

Susan Deacon says the helpline will transform services

He said: "NHS 24 is a massive £36m project which will for the first time ever provide 24-hour telephone advice and health information to patients throughout Scotland.

"It is therefore vital when we launch it that we get it right.

"That is why the NHS 24 hour team must receive the best advice and support on the design of the project.

"Investment now to get it right will be a good investment for the future.

The spokesman added: "This project has been professionally tendered to Treasury rules."

Telephone service

Health Minister Susan Deacon announced the £36m project in December 2000.

The money will be spent in the next three years to make the service available all over the country.

A similar scheme, NHS Direct, is already in place in England and Wales.

Jim McIntyre, a senior director of Scottish Enterprise, was appointed to launch and expand NHS 24.

Ms Deacon said the telephone service would give patients access to services "all day and every day".

Reassuring voice

She said: "This project will represent a transformation in the front line services available to patients.

"Experienced nurses providing years of expertise and a reassuring voice - immediately via the telephone.

"NHS 24 will provide the public with an advice line to deal with worries.

"It also ensures patients are directed to the appropriate place in the NHS should further action be required."