Recommendation 5

Managed well, we see enormous potential for a beefed-up version of 111 to regulate the demands on emergency departments and ensure that patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. However, we acknowledge concerns that without sufficient clinical validation these objectives cannot be met. Without robust evidence from the evaluation of the pilot so far, we cannot judge its success Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic 35 or suggest improvements. We are already part of the way through a challenging winter—if findings are not available soon, NHS England risks missing opportunities to improve services at this crucial time.