Health Explained UK

Where to get help

Where to get NHS help: 999, A&E, NHS 111, pharmacies and your GP

Need help now?In an emergency, call 999. If you need medical help and aren't sure where to go, use NHS 111 online or call 111. This site shares general information only, not medical advice.

Start here if you need help now

In a life-threatening emergency, such as a serious road traffic accident, a stroke or a heart attack, call 999. If you need medical help and you're not sure where to go, NHS 111 can check your symptoms and tell you what to do. Use 111 online or call 111.

This page explains how the services fit together, using the NHS website's own descriptions. It isn't medical advice, and it can't tell you which service is right for your symptoms. NHS 111 can.

999: life-threatening emergencies

The NHS page When to call 999 says 999 is for life-threatening emergencies like serious road traffic accidents, strokes and heart attacks.

The call handler will ask where the emergency is, what has happened and your contact number. The NHS also says that calling 999 doesn't always mean an ambulance will be sent: you might be told it's safe to make your own way to A&E, or to be seen elsewhere.

A&E: serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies

According to the NHS page When to go to A&E, A&E (accident and emergency) is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. It's also known as the emergency department or casualty, and A&E departments are open 24 hours a day, every day.

The NHS says not to drive yourself to A&E: ask someone to drive you, or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring any medicines you take with you. Everyone is assessed first (this is called triage) so that the most seriously unwell people are seen first, and arriving by ambulance doesn't always mean you'll be seen sooner.

NHS 111: when you need help but it isn't a 999 emergency

The NHS page When to use NHS 111 says 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now. You can use 111 online, the NHS App or call 111. It can direct you to the best place to get help if you can't contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed.

Depending on what you need, 111 might advise you to call 999 or go to A&E, go to an urgent treatment centre, see an out-of-hours GP, book a callback from a nurse, get urgent dental or mental health support, contact your own GP surgery, see a pharmacist, or look after yourself at home.

111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own services: NHS 24 111 in Scotland, NHS 111 Wales in Wales, and nidirect for health advice in Northern Ireland.

Urgent treatment centres

The NHS page When to go to an urgent treatment centre says urgent treatment centres (UTCs) give urgent medical help when it's not a life-threatening emergency. The NHS lists common problems they can help with, such as sprains and strains, suspected broken bones, and cuts and bruises.

You don't need to be registered with a GP or have a fixed address to use one. You may be able to book an appointment or an arrival time through 111 online.

Pharmacies

The NHS page How pharmacies can help says pharmacists can give advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats and aches and pains, and on how to use your medicines. If they can't help, they can refer you to a GP or other health professional.

Under the Pharmacy First scheme, most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions without a GP appointment. Not every pharmacy offers every service, so the NHS suggests contacting the pharmacy before you visit.

Your GP surgery

For health problems that aren't urgent, your GP surgery is usually the place to start. The NHS page Register with a GP surgery says everyone in England can register with a GP surgery for free, and most surgeries let you register online.

You'll be asked for basic details like your name, date of birth and address. You don't need ID, proof of address, proof of immigration status or an NHS number to register.

A quick way to remember it

This list is only a memory aid. If you're unsure, NHS 111 will tell you where to go.

A note on this guide

This guide is general information about how NHS services in England work. It isn't medical advice and it can't assess your symptoms. In an emergency, call 999. If you need help and aren't sure where to go, use NHS 111. NHS pages are reviewed and updated, so please check the linked NHS page for the latest wording.