NHS Direct withdraws from 111 service

A major provider of the NHS non-emergency telephone service in England is seeking to pull out of its contracts due to severe problems.

NHS Direct initially won 11 of the 46 regional contracts for the service, covering 34% of the population.

It has already pulled out of two services, but the remaining nine are now "financially unsustainable".

The whole NHS 111 service itself has been plagued with problems, including reports of patients facing long waits.

Health correspondent Sophie Hutchinson explained why the hotline was in so much trouble.