title: NHS Direct: the early years.
abstract: NHS Direct was developed as part of the government's drive to deliver quality care wherever and whenever needed. It enables nurses to carry out a clinical consultation and assessment over the telephone with the aid of computer-based clinical decision support systems. The service was preceded by a range of telephone-based services provided by nurses in a number of settings. However, many of these early services were not evidence-based, and their availability and delivery was limited. Although nurses working for NHS Direct are supported by decision-making systems, they act as autonomous practitioners and are able to use their clinical judgement in advising patients.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015277:Hotlines / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013222:State Medicine; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom