If you are unwell in the evening, overnight, at the weekend or on a Bank Holiday.
Contact the National NHS Service by dialling 111
You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.
This service is for urgent medical situations – if you, or a member of your family, become ill and you are concerned. It is not for routine enquiries such as booking an appointment with your GP, repeat prescriptions, test results etc.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones (although pay-as-you-go mobiles must have at least 1p credit)
When to use it
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
- you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency
- you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
- you don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call
- you need health information or reassurance about what to do next
For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.
If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, continue to use that number.
For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.
How does it work?
The NHS 111 service is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses. They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you straightaway to the local service that can help you best. That could be A&E, an out-of-hours doctor, an urgent care centre or a walk-in centre , a community nurse, an emergency dentist or a late-opening chemist.
Where possible, the NHS 111 team will book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to.
If NHS 111 advisers think you need an ambulance , they will immediately arrange for one to be sent to you.
Calls to 111 are recorded. All calls and the records created are maintained securely, and will only be shared with others directly involved with your care.
If you need telephone advice from a medical person
- Call NHS 111 on 111. NHS 111 can give you general medical information 24 hours a day. Their trained nurses can provide you with expert health advice and reassurance any time of the day and night.
If you need to buy some medicine or medical supplies
- Visit a local pharmacy (chemist). Your local paper will have details of pharmacies open late on weekdays and on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
If this is an emergency or you have had a severe accident
- If your injury or illness is severe, or you have had a serious accident, or it is life-threatening - call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Or you can visit your local Emergency Department. Please note this service is for emergencies only.
