The information requested is shown in the table:
Financial year Number of calls referred to 999 services by NHS Direct1 Percentage of calls to NHS Direct which have been referred to 999 Number of calls referred to accident and emergency (A&E)2 Percentage of calls to NHS Direct which have been referred to A&E 2002-03 Q4 52,765 5.63 105,230 11.22 2003-04 Q1 49,065 5.41 106,974 11.79 Q2 50,860 5.89 109,361 12.67 Q3 57,681 6.19 98,794 10.60 Q4 58,948 6.05 106,576 10.93 2004-05 Q1 58,583 5.91 104,427 10.53 Q2 56,105 5.89 94,873 9.96 Q3 62,673 5.83 94,189 8.76 Q4 62,000 5.46 91,395 8.05 2005-06 Q1 59,261 5.49 99,764 9.24 Q2 55,685 3.42 97,610 6.00 Q3 62,046 3.60 98,766 5.73 Q4 61,005 3.47 97,115 5.53 1 Calls referred to ambulance or paramedic services. 2 Calls where patients are asked to attend an A&E department. Source: NHS Direct Special Health Authority