Former NHS call handler Irah Tahir said that the 111 call centre she worked at was dangerously understaffed, with 75% of calls going unanswered. Staff were under pressure and had to give medical advice when nurses were unavailable. She felt the service was completely unsafe. ‘I'm not medically trained and I wasn’t equipped to make those decisions.’ Also staff were begged to do overtime or cancel holidays because of staff shortages. Derbyshire Health United, which runs the centre, refuted the claims. The helpline began in 2010 for those needing urgent medical help or advice. If someone's illness is judged to be an emergency by the 111 team, then an ambulance can be sent out. An NHS England spokesman admitted there had been issues and ‘regional variations’ with the helpline, but said they are working to ensure these are addressed.