If you need medical advice in an emergency, the NHS 111 service can help in a number of ways. This page provides information on how to access the service and when it should be used.
NHS 111 helps people get the right advice and treatment when they need it. If you need medical support urgently, but your condition is not life-threatening, the 111 service can advise you on your next steps. It is intended to make it easier and quicker for patients to access the healthcare service most appropriate to their needs.
NHS 111 clinicians and call advisors can help with:
- advising on symptoms or an injury
- dental care support
- information on prescriptions and medicines
- help with an existing medical condition
- urgent mental health support
In many cases the advice given to patients prevents them from needing to access another service, such as their GP or the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E).
If needed, NHS 111 call handlers can book patients in to be seen at their local A&E or an urgent treatment centre.
What happens next?
Depending on the situation and the urgency of your need, you may be advised to:
- call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency
- go to an urgent treatment centre
- see an out-of-hours GP
- book a callback from a nurse
- get urgent specialist support, for dental or mental health problems
- see a pharmacist for help with a minor illness
- book an appointment with your GP
You may be offered a call back from a nurse. The length of wait will depend on the severity of your symptoms, with the most serious cases being prioritised. If your symptoms worsen and become life-threatening while you are waiting for a call back, dial 999 immediately.
How do I contact NHS 111?
NHS 111 can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
111 online is for the assessment of patients aged five years and over only. For children under the age of five, call 111.
If you need to speak to someone urgently about your mental health, dial 111 and select Option 2
Other ways to contact 111:
If you experience difficulties communicating, you can:
- Call 18001 111 using the Relay UK app
- Use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you’re hard of hearing and want to use the phone service.
There are also a number of easily accessible guides available on the NHS website here.
