RESIDENTS in Mid Devon are being advised to dial 111 for all their nonemergency medical needs from 6.30pm on Monday January 6, 2014.

The change follows a similar successful switch-over in North Devon in early October 2013. NHS Direct is no longer available to call in Devon as it has also been replaced by NHS 111.

NHS 111 is a free to call number from landlines and mobile phones (that have at least 1p credit) and calls will be managed by specially trained handlers supported by clinical staff.

They will give advice and direct people to relevant local services such as the out of hours GP service, a pharmacist, the Emergency Department or will arrange an ambulance if required.

Patients in Mid Devon can still directly contact their own practice when it is open and will be directed to NHS 111 when the surgery is closed.

The practices affected in Mid Devon will be changing their answer phone messages and displaying information posters in the surgeries.

A gradual switchover to the NHS 111 service for the rest of Devon will take place in Spring 2014.

Practices affected by the changes are: Wallingbrook Health Centre; Clare House; The Blackdown Practice; Moreton Hampstead Health Centre; Bampton Surgery; Hatherleigh Medical Centre; Chagford Health Centre; Bow Medical Practice; Mid Devon Medical Practice; Castle Place Practice; Exe Valley Practice; Cheriton Bishop Surgery; Okehampton Medical Centre; College Surgery Partnership; Chiddenbrook Surgery; Bramblehaies Surgery; Sampford Peverell Surgery; Newcombes Surgery