NHS centre hits calls record

The call centre handled 1,600 calls on Boxing day

A Devon-based NHS call centre expects to handle its one millionth inquiry within four years of opening.

The NHS Direct Westcountry call centre, which is based in Exeter, handles calls from across Devon and Cornwall.

It saw its highest ever demand over the Christmas period and dealt with more than 90,000 calls in the final three months of last year.

That figure is a third up on last year, with Boxing Day proving the busiest day so far.

"Growing awareness"

The centre handled more than 1,600 calls, double the amount on an average day.

Nurse advisers have been spending less time on each call, allowing them to talk to more people.

The centre opened in March 1999 and nurse leader Norma Lane expects the one millionth inquiry before its fourth anniversary.

"There is growing awareness," she said

"We are still seeing high call volumes, what we see is once people use the service and are pleased with it they go on to use it again and tell family and friends about it."