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NHS 111 

NHS 111 provides urgent medical advice 24/7 when it is not a life-threatening emergency and directs you to the right local service.

What is NHS 111?

NHS 111 is a free service that provides urgent medical advice and support.

You can use it if:

  • You need medical help quickly
  • You are not sure what service to use
  • You need urgent dental help
  • Your GP surgery is closed
  • You cannot contact your GP during the day

In an emergency

NHS 111 helps you get the right care at the right time. If an ambulance is needed, NHS 111 will arrange this immediately.

How to contact NHS 111

You can access NHS 111 in several ways:

Online

  • Use NHS 111 online (for people aged 5 and over)
  • Get help through the NHS App

By phone

  • Call 111 (free from landlines and mobiles)

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Support for accessibility and language needs

If you need extra support to use NHS 111, you can:

  • Call 18001111 using text relay
  • Use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service
  • Call 111 and ask for an interpreter in your preferred language

These services are free and confidential.

When should I use another service?

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if someone has:

  • Chest pain
  • Severe breathing difficulties
  • Signs of stroke
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Severe injury

Contact your GP or pharmacist for:

  • Routine appointments
  • Ongoing health conditions
  • Repeat prescriptions
  • Minor illnesses

If a health professional has given you a specific number to call about your condition, continue to use that number.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes. NHS 111 is free from both landlines and mobile phones.

No. You will usually speak to a trained adviser first. A nurse, doctor, or other clinician will be involved if needed.

Yes. In some cases, NHS 111 can book appointments with GP out-of-hours services, urgent treatment centres, or other services.

Yes. Your information is handled securely in line with NHS data protection standards.

Yes. Online services are available for people aged 5 and over. For younger children, call 111 to speak to an adviser.

Emergency prescription requests can be submitted via 111 online: Emergency prescriptions – NHS 111

Contact NHS 111 if you have:

  • Severe toothache affecting sleep or daily activities
  • Dental pain not controlled with paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Swelling, infection, or fever related to a tooth
  • A broken or knocked-out tooth
  • Severe pain or bleeding after an extraction
  • A damaged filling, crown, denture, bridge, or veneer causing pain
  • Severe bleeding from the gums
  • A lump, swelling, or sore in the mouth that is growing or not healing

NHS 111 can assess your symptoms and arrange urgent care if needed.

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

This may be done:

  • Online, using a secure assessment tool, or
  • By phone, with a fully trained adviser

A clinician may review your case if needed.

Based on your answers, you may be advised to:

  • Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency
  • Visit an urgent treatment centre
  • See an out-of-hours GP
  • Receive a call back from a nurse or clinician
  • Get urgent dental or mental health support
  • Contact your GP surgery or make an appointment at a local dentist
  • Speak to a community pharmacist

Look after yourself safely at home

This video explains how to use NHS 111 online through the NHS App to get advice and support.

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GP talking with patient in NHS Essex clinic

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