Health Trusts Ordered to Halt Planned Cuts to Phone First Medical Service

Northern Ireland's health minister has ordered health trusts that have not yet scrapped the Phone First service to halt any planned closures. The telephone triage system was originally introduced in late 2020 during the pandemic to help prevent overcrowding in hospital waiting rooms by advising patients on appropriate care options. While some trusts, such as the Belfast Trust, have already discontinued the service to save money and redeploy staff amid severe budget shortfalls, others have been told to pause their withdrawals for reassessment. The Phone First system operates similarly to other regional non-emergency medical helplines, helping patients determine if they require emergency care or alternative treatment options before traveling to a hospital.