Letter

NHS Direct did not emerge from an evidence free void

BMJ 2006; 332 doi: 10.1136/bmj.332.7536.305 (Published 2 February 2006)
Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:305.1

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  1. Geoff H Royston, head of operational research (geoff.royston@dh.gsi.gov.uk)
  1. Department of Health, Leeds LS2 7UE

    EDITOR—The claim by McDonnell et al, that the implementation of NHS Direct ran ahead of the evidence has little basis.1

    Preceding the observational study cited by McDonnell et al, a wide range of evidence existed about the successful operation of similar services both in the United Kingdom and internationally.2 3 There was also survey evidence of strong public demand for such services, plus additional design and evaluative work.4

    The observational …

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