NHS 111 is a free to call service that was introduced in 2013 to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services. It can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do.
The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
To get help from NHS 111, you can:
- go to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 and over only)
- call 111
When should I call NHS 111?
If you're worried about an urgent medical concern, call 111 and speak to a fully trained adviser.
For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a non-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.
Find out more about NHS 111
You answer questions about your symptoms on the website, or by speaking to a fully trained adviser on the phone. The phone service and website are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Depending on the situation you’ll:
- find out what local service can help you;
- be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP;
- get a face-to-face appointment if you need one;
- be told how to get any medicine you need; or
- get self-care advice.
You can also get:
If you’re deaf and want to use the phone service, a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter can call NHS 111 on your behalf. Go to NHS 111 BSL interpreter service for more details.
You can also use the NHS 111 service through a textphone by calling 18001 111.
There is a confidential interpreter service available in many languages.
Simply mention the language you wish to use when the NHS 111 operator answers your call. The advisor will put you on hold briefly while they connect to the interpretation service that will help the advisor ask questions to assess your symptoms.