Help Us Help You – Use 111 online

How to contact NHS 111

If you think you need medical help right now, contact NHS 111 online or by phone to get assessed and directed to the help you need.

NHS 111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed (out-of-hours).

To get help from NHS 111 you can:

• go to the 111.nhs.uk website
• call 111 by phone

If you are a BSL user and want to use the phone service, you can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service by visiting 111.nhs.uk or nhs.uk/111

You can also call 18001 111 using text relay or a textphone. If you need help in other languages call 111 and ask for an interpreter.

111 online is for people aged 5 and over. If you need help for a child under 5 you should call 111.

NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you contact NHS 111 you will be asked a series of question about your symptoms.

You can answer the questions yourself or on behalf of someone else.

You do not need say who you are, but if you are referred to another service you will need to give some personal details.

You will also be asked for your location to find local services to help you.

Depending on what you need, you might be advised to:

• call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency
• go to an urgent treatment centre
• see an evening and weekend GP (out-of-hours GP)
• get a callback from a nurse
• contact an emergency dentist or find a dentist
• contact your own GP surgery
• see a pharmacist for a minor illness or to get medicine
• look after yourself safely at home

Contacting NHS 111 first makes it easier for you to get the right advice or treatment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, you should still call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

If you are a BSL user you can also get help using the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service by visiting nhs.uk/111

Using the website or an app you make a video call to a BSL interpreter. The interpreter will phone an NHS 111 adviser and relay your conversation with them.

To use the service or to find out more including how to download the app visit nhs.uk/111

Call 999 for life threatening emergencies

For life threatening medical emergencies you should still call 999 or go to A&E.

Text relay users can call 18000 to contact 999.

BSL users can make a free BSL video call to 999 using the 999 BSL Emergency Video Relay Service website or app.

To use the service or to find out more visit 999BSL.co.uk

If you are deaf, have hearing loss, are a BSL user or have a speech impairment you can text 999 by registering your phone in advance. Find out more at www.emergencysms.co.uk

More information

For more information about NHS 111 go to nhs.uk/111

Help Us Help You – Use 111 online