NHS 111 relocate new call centre in Teesside bringing 300 jobs to region

NHS 111 is set to relocate to Cavendish House at Prince’s Wharf in Thornaby, bringing with it 300 jobs.

Practice Plus Group, a firm that operates a network of NHS 111 contact centres across England on behalf of the NHS, has been one of the largest providers of NHS 111 call centres since the service was launched a decade ago, handling nearly three million calls annually.

The new centre in Thornaby is part of the company’s long-term strategy to expand its NHS 111 services to cope with the increased demand witnessed in recent years as the NHS grapples with unprecedented pressures. The centre will offer additional support to existing centres nationwide, ensuring as many people as possible can access NHS 111 when required.

Depending on individual cases, NHS 111 can guide people on the appropriate course of action, such as whether to visit A&E, an urgent treatment centre or a local pharmacy. The service can arrange for a nurse or paramedic to return a call, for a caller to be seen by a healthcare professional, or it can assist them in accessing specialist support for dental or mental health issues.

The firm enlisted the expertise of TSK Group, a specialist in workplace strategy, design and build, to create an appealing modern work environment. The new space boasts 98 workspaces, along with 60 training and overflow spaces. Roles at the site include Health Advisors and Clinical Advisors, who undergo comprehensive training and induction programmes.

Thornaby was chosen as the location for Practice Plus Group’s new site due to the active job-seeking community in the area. Stockton Council’s Employment and Training hub also offers bespoke support to recruit local people into these high-quality roles.

This move is particularly significant for Practice Plus Group’s Chief Executive, Jim Easton, who spent his teenage years in the area before spearheading the creation and implementation of the NHS 111 service in the Department of Health in the early 2000s.

He said: “I am delighted to be able to invest in such a fantastic area that has many fond memories for me personally, but more importantly, to show our commitment to running a reliable NHS 111 service nationally. This is more important than ever before, with the NHS facing some of its biggest challenges in its history.

“Our NHS 111 services work as part of wider NHS urgent and emergency care systems locally and help take the pressure off GP practices and Accident and Emergency. This new centre will ensure that regardless of which of our call centres around the country becomes overwhelmed with calls, we can meet the demand and help as many people as possible. Those joining us in Stockon-on-Tees will save lives. These are incredibly important jobs.”.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton Council, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Practice Plus Group to Stockton-on-Tees, the first health sector business to relocate to Teesdale since we have shared our ambitious plans to create a Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone in that area.”

“Practice Plus Group is bringing high quality jobs to the Borough and Stockton-on-Tees’ Employment and Training Hub have provided dedicated support, helping to recruit local people into these roles, helping Practice Plus provide a valuable service to the NHS. We wish the company and their new staff the best of luck and hope they will quickly see the benefits of investing in Stockton-on-Tees.”

Staff are set to relocate on Monday, July 15. For further details on job vacancies at Practice Plus Group, go here.

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