NHS Direct reasserted its status as a key NHS frontline service on 1 April 2007.
The health information provider became an NHS trust following recommendations set out in the 2004 Arm's Length Body (ALB) Review to move NHS Direct out of the ALB sector by 1 April 2007.
NHS Direct will continue to provide its core telephone, internet and digital TV services, and plans to expand its work with primary care trusts (PCTs) and other partners to support the delivery of local services.
The move will also put the new trust in a position to apply for foundation trust status.
The organisation has recently announced the appointment of Matt Tee as its new Chief Executive. Matt is currently Director General of Communications at the Department of Health and will take over from Ed Lester, who leaves NHS Direct in May.