THE NHS in Devon has delayed the start of the NHS 111 service in Devon until September.

Devon's two clinical commissioning groups (CCG) say they have taken the decision so they can learn from other areas where the service already operates to make sure people in Devon get the best possible service.

NHS Direct will continue to provide a service in Devon until NHS 111 goes live.

It will mean Devon will be one of the last areas in the country to launch the NHS 111 service.

Dr Tim Burke, chair of Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: 'We want to fully scrutinise our service so that when we launch we are assured it has been thoroughly tried and tested.

'We are not working to a deadline, we are working to getting it right and taking the time to ensure it offers the best service to our population.

'Delaying the launch of the service means we will be able to spend more time learning from other areas that have already gone live and understanding how the new service will impact on the range of primary care and hospital services in our area.'

Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG and South Devon and Torbay CCG commissioned the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) to be their NHS 111 provider.

SWAST handles 999 calls every minute of the day and night – and is used to dealing with the most challenging of situations.

Dr Burke said: 'SWAST already has a good track record of dealing with NHS 111 calls. It currently runs the NHS 111 service in Dorset so we are working with them to ensure callers to NHS 111 in Devon directly benefit from any lessons learned in our neighbouring county.

'SWAST has shown itself to be one of the best providers for this new service in the country with highly trained staff and excellent clinical back up.

'We have additional safeguards here in Devon also and we will be maintaining the Devon Doctors out of hour's service.

'We are confident in our plans and this short delay will give us a bit more time to make certain that we have everything in place and that it is tested.

'The way we are implementing the national NHS 111 programme means we can have the confidence that it will deliver for our patients and support our urgent care system for the long term.'