To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made any assessment of the impact of NHS Direct on the (a) number and (b) appropriateness of accident and emergency attendances. (166443)

Less than 10 per cent. of the total number who call NHS direct and only 8 per cent. of those with symptoms are advised currently to attend accident and emergency. Nearly half (47 per cent.) of all calls to NHS Direct are completed within NHS Direct meaning that the patient does not need to seek help or treatment elsewhere.