NHS 111 explained — when and how to use it

NHS 111 is a free NHS service for urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns. You can contact it by phone (dial 111) or online (111.nhs.uk), 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It's designed to help when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency.

When to use NHS 111

• You think you need urgent care but aren't sure where to go
• You need help out of hours when your GP is closed
• You need health advice or reassurance about symptoms
• You don't have a GP to call, or can't get a timely appointment for an urgent issue

What NHS 111 can do

After assessing your symptoms, 111 can: give you advice on self-care, direct you to the most appropriate service (GP, pharmacy, urgent treatment centre), book you an appointment, arrange a callback from a nurse or doctor, send an ambulance if needed, or direct you to A&E. It helps you reach the right care quickly and avoids unnecessary A&E trips.

When NOT to use it

For life-threatening emergencies — chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, signs of stroke, loss of consciousness — always call 999 instead. This is general information, not medical advice.