Table 1

Characteristics of the 119 scenarios compared with NHS Direct calls

Characteristic	Level	% scenarios (n=119)	% NHS Direct calls* (n=49219)
*Based on calls to three first wave NHS Direct sites.¹⁴ ¹⁵
†Based on 118 calls for which classification available.
Time and day of week	In hours (0800–1759 weekdays)	47	29
	Out of hours	53	71
Caller	Patient	9	44
	Other	91	55
Patient age	Child (0–14)	14	38
	Adult	86	62
Patient sex	Male	40	43
	Female	60	57
Necessity of attendance at A&E†	Necessary	77	Not available
	Unnecessary	23