THE NHS Direct helpline has been made available to North Wales patients for the first time in a bid to tackle the Coronavirus crisis.

The Welsh Government launched its roll-out of the 111 helpline for urgent medical problems in 2018, however North Wales and some other parts of Wales were the only areas in the UK yet to have it up and running.

Health minister Vaughan Gething said that while the 24-hour service is yet to be fully rolled out in North Wales, it has been made available via the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

It is restricted to North Wales patients showing severe symptoms of Covid-19, which include fever and a persistent cough.

In a statement, Betsi Cadwaladr University Heath Board (BCUHB) said: “In those areas of Wales where 111 has yet to be fully rolled out, including in Betsi Cadwaladr, this means that callers will be able to access advice and information on Covid-19 without charge,” a BCUHB spokesperson said.

“This is now operational and callers from North Wales who have been to an affected area and who are unwell will have their call triaged within Wales.

“Given the pace at which things are changing, colleagues at WAST and the 111 Programme Team are liaising to ensure that there is consistency of approach between England and Wales but you’ll appreciate that this is a very dynamic situation.”

Patients are being asked to use the online symptom checker on the NHS Direct website, where they could then be advised to call the helpline.

Calls not related to Covid-19 will be asked to redial NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647.