The NHS 111 phone number is the free, non-emergency medical helpline for urgent health needs in England, Scotland, and Wales. This nhs 111 phone number is designed to complement the 999 emergency service, providing a single point of contact for medical help when you need it fast but it is not a life-threatening emergency.
What is the NHS 111 phone number?
The 111 number is a free-to-call service for urgent but not life-threatening health issues. In England, the service is known as NHS 111; in Scotland, it is called NHS 24; and in Wales, it is NHS 111 Wales. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is intended to help you get the right care when you are unsure who to contact or need health information or reassurance. This service is a critical part of getting and understanding phone numbers for healthcare access across the UK.
When should you call 111?
You should call 111 if you need medical help fast but it is not a 999 emergency. Specific scenarios include:
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service.
- You do not know who to call for your health concern.
- You need health information or reassurance about a symptom.
- You need urgent medical help that is not life-threatening.
You should always call 999 for immediate, life-threatening emergencies such as signs of a heart attack or stroke, severe breathing difficulties, uncontrolled bleeding, or if someone is unconscious and not breathing normally. For less urgent health needs, you should contact your GP or local pharmacist.
What happens when you call 111?
When you call 111, a specially trained health advisor will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms. The process includes these steps:
- Callers will be asked to follow prompts to determine what nation they are calling from.
- You will be asked for your name, address, and telephone number for callback purposes.
- You will need to explain your symptoms, how they affect you, when they began, what you have tried, any medication you are taking, and existing medical conditions.
- The health advisor will decide what clinical help you need and tell you where to go to get that help.
Depending on your needs, 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, book a callback from a nurse, get urgent specialist support (dental or mental health), contact your own GP surgery, see a pharmacist, or look after yourself safely at home. If the advisor thinks you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange for one to be sent.
Using NHS 111 online and the NHS App
You can also contact NHS 111 by visiting 111.nhs.uk or by using the NHS App. The 111 online service is for people aged 5 and over; for children under 5, you should call 111. When using 111 online, you answer questions about your main symptom, and you will be told what to do next. The service will not give you a diagnosis.
NHS 111 online has specific capabilities:
- It can help with dental problems, including finding a dentist or an emergency dentist.
- You can get an emergency supply of regularly prescribed medicine for someone of any age; it sends a request to a local pharmacy for a limited supply.
However, NHS 111 online cannot issue fit notes (you need to contact your GP surgery for this), and it cannot make or cancel appointments for you in other parts of the NHS. If your symptoms mean you need a callback from a nurse, you will be offered one and given a timeframe; you cannot request a callback. If you miss a callback, a nurse will try up to 3 times, but you will not be able to call them back and will need to use 111 online or call 111 again. You cannot cancel a callback from a nurse.
Accessibility and other support from 111
For urgent mental health support in England, you can call NHS 111 and select option 2. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, you can access NHS 111 via British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting video relay service at signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/ or by text relay on 18001 111, available 24 hours a day. The service can also provide support in other languages through an interpretation service; simply dial 111 and ask for an interpreter. Understanding the area code in a phone number is not relevant here, as 111 is a shortcode, not a full number with an area code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 111 number available 24/7?
Yes, NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and public holidays.
Is it free to call 111?
Yes, calling 111 is free from both landlines and mobile phones.
What did the 111 number replace?
The 111 number replaced NHS Direct (0845 4647) in England, with the transition completed in February 2014.
Is 111 the same as 999 in the United States?
No. In the United States, 111 is not a nationally assigned special services code for public use. Emergency services in the US are accessed by dialing 911.
Can I use 111 in Northern Ireland?
The NHS 111 service was extended to Northern Ireland from February 2020 for advice relating to the COVID-19 outbreak only. It is primarily a service for England, Scotland, and Wales.
What is the history of the 111 number?
Historically, 111 was adopted as an emergency number in New Zealand in 1955.
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