111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Life-threatening emergencies
Call 999 in a medical emergency– when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Medical emergencies can include:
Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions. Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma. Major trauma is often the result of a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury.
Non-life-threatening emergencies
If it is not a life-threatening emergency and you or the person you are with does not need immediate medical attention, please consider other options before dialling 999:
Choose the best service for your needs, as this will ensure the ambulance service is able to respond to the people who need help the most.