The Orange smartnumbers service is being used to give GPs and practice nurses in Hampshire easier access to dedicated diabetes consultants.
NHS Hampshire and Southern Diabetes Medical Services have rolled out the service to 51 practices in the county, using Orange partner Resilient Networks.
The service delivers calls to a team of specialists, based on their availability, and regardless of where they are located.
If a specialist is not available, users can record a voicemail message that is then emailed and texted to them.
Dr Partha Kar, clinical director of endocrinology and diabetes at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, and a partner in Southern Diabetes Medical Services, said the service should cut the number of hospital appointments required by patients in Hampshire.
“Not all patients with diabetes necessarily need to be seen by a consultant and an advisory service, in certain cases, may be more appropriate.
“The availability of immediate advice has started to reduce referrals and speed up patient care. So far, we have seen an extremely positive response and we hope to extend the principle across NHS Hampshire and surrounding trusts in the near future.”
Southern Diabetes Medical Services is a partnership that was formed in January 2011.
Four diabetes physicians, who all work for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, head the independent provider body, which aims to provide diabetes education and services in the community.