NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It can be accessed online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111 free from your landline or mobile phone.
Using 111 will help you get the right care, first time, and can save you time, effort and unnecessary journeys.
It is suitable for patients who are unsure where to go for medical advice or for patients with urgent health conditions that can’t wait until their daytime GP surgery is open and available to help. It identifies the most appropriate service to meet patients' needs.
How to access NHS 111
- call NHS 111 by dialling 111 from a landline or mobile
- go to NHS 111 online
- use the NHS App.
The service is free to use and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
If your condition is an emergency or life-threatening, you should always dial 999.
USE NHS 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, such as minor injuries unit or the out-of-hours GP
- you don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call
- you need health or medical information, or reassurance about what to do next.
When you contact 111, a fully trained adviser or nurse will assess your symptoms then give you the healthcare advice you need, or direct you straight away to the local service that can help you best.
If it is an emergency, an ambulance will be dispatched immediately without the need for any further assessment.