The roll-out of a non-emergency NHS telephone service will not be fully established in North Wales until 2022, the health secretary has confirmed.

The free-to-call 111 service combines the NHS Direct Wales advice line for non-999 health calls with the out-of-hours GPs and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

While 999 should always be used in emergency situations, this service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing health information, advice and access to urgent out-of-hours primary care.

It allows GPs, pharmacists and nurses and call-handlers to arrange appointments, prescriptions, advice and home visits.

While it can now be used across Wales for coronavirus-related enquiries, the NHS Direct website states the full service is only available in the Hywel Dda, Powys, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay – including Bridgend – health board areas.

Health minister Vaughan Gething said: “Plans are in place to implement a full 111 service in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area by Quarter 1, 2022.

“The 111 number is already available across Wales for enquiries relating to Covid-19, and has been available since March 2020.”

The alternative 0845 46 47 number – the only option currently available for North Wales residents – costs a minimum of 2p per minute plus the “access charge” set by the caller’s service provider.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been asked to comment.