Helpful Links
We hope you find these links helpful
When to use NHS 111 online or call 111
Use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call 111 if you think you need medical help right now.
We 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).
Depending on what you need, you might be advised to:
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call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency
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go to an urgent treatment centre
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see an evening and weekend GP (out-of-hours GP)
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book a callback from a nurse
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get urgent specialist support, for dental or mental health problems
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contact your own GP surgery
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see a pharmacist for help with a minor illness
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look after yourself safely at home
Get help online
111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
Answer questions about your symptoms on the website and we will tell you what to do next.
Find out how 111 online works in detail.
When to call 999
Adults – call 999 or go to A&E now for any of these:
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signs of a heart attack
chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest -
signs of a stroke
face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking -
sudden confusion (delirium)
cannot be sure of own name or age -
suicide attempt
by taking something or self-harming -
severe difficulty breathing
not being able to get words out, choking or gasping -
choking
on liquids or solids right now -
heavy bleeding
spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle -
severe injuries
after a serious accident or assault -
seizure (fit)
shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up) -
sudden, rapid swelling
of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.
Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.
When to call 999
Children – call 999 or take your child to A&E now for any of these:
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seizure (fit)
shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up) -
choking
on liquids or solids right now -
difficulty breathing
making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribcage -
unable to stay awake
cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds -
blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, tongue or lips
on brown or black skin, grey or blue palms or soles of the feet -
limp and floppy
their head falls to the side, backwards or forwards -
heavy bleeding
spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle -
severe injuries
after a serious accident or assault -
signs of a stroke
face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking -
sudden rapid swelling
of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue -
sudden confusion
agitation, odd behaviour or non-stop crying -
British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.
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Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.
If you cannot call 999 for any reason
To get to A&E safely you should:
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get someone to drive you
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bring any medicines you take regularly with you, if you can
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take a mobile phone in case you need to call 999 on the way