NHS England » About NHS 111 (2024)

FAQs

NHS England » About NHS 111? ›

If needed, NHS 111 can book patients in to be seen at their local A&E / emergency department or an urgent treatment centre, emergency dental services, pharmacy or another more appropriate local service – as well as send an ambulance should the patient's condition be serious or life-threatening.

NHS 111 is here to make it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To get help from NHS 111, you can: Go online to 111.nhs.uk (for assessment of people aged 5 and over only).

Indeed, rather than a triage system that minimised risk and promoted patient safety, Turnbull et al (2014), Pope et al (2017) and the present study all argue that NHS 111 increases clinical risk, as patients are not accurately prioritised, which can result in inappropriate or delayed ambulance responses.

Led by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health RCPCH , in partnership with NHS England, The Health Foundation and the Picker Institute, the review of 111 services in North West London revealed 84% of people calling the helpline 'got what they needed', while 80% said they would call NHS 111 again if they had ...

Patients are set to receive an enhanced NHS 111 offer including increased access to specialist paediatric advice for children and direct access to urgent mental health support, as part of a blueprint set out today to help recover urgent and emergency care services.

If needed, NHS 111 can book patients in to be seen at their local A&E / emergency department or an urgent treatment centre, emergency dental services, pharmacy or another more appropriate local service – as well as send an ambulance should the patient's condition be serious or life-threatening.

You will be charged your usual prescription fee. If you do not usually pay, it will be free. You cannot use 111 to get antibiotics for a new or recent problem, or controlled drugs that require identification to collect. To access the service, simply dial 111 on your phone.

NHS 111 helps people get the right physical and mental health advice and treatment when they urgently need it. A specialist health advisor will assess your health needs, give advice, refer you to the most appropriate care service or send an ambulance in case of an emergency.

NHS Pathways is a triage software utilised by the National Health Service of England to triage public telephone calls for medical care and emergency medical services – such as 999 or 111 calls – in some NHS trusts and five of the ambulance services in the country.

You'll work under the guidance of a clinician such as a nurse or paramedic, managing calls from patients, members of the public and healthcare professionals such as GPs, nurses and pharmacists. You'll provide safe and effective health assessment, information and advice, in line with agreed protocols.

How many calls does NHS 111 get a year? ›

The total number of calls made to NHS 111 has increased over time, from just over 1 million in January 2016 to 1.9 million in January 2024. The percentage of calls answered within 60 seconds has fallen over the same period, from 93% to 53%.

Analysis of calls over that time shows that more than one in four people, 28%, would otherwise have had to go to A&E. One in six, 16%, would have phoned for an ambulance, meaning 111 prevented three million 999 calls that could have resulted in unnecessary ambulance call outs.

Insufficient funding

The lack of adequate funding puts a strain on resources, leading to longer waiting times, limited access to certain treatments, and difficulties in maintaining high-quality care. It also hampers the ability of the NHS to invest in new technologies and infrastructure improvements.

Sending data to GP practices

a) Does the NHS 111 service send data about every patient who contacts the service to their registered GP? For the remaining dispositions, there will be a summary message sent to the practice.

NHS England leads the National Health Service (NHS) in England. We promote high quality health and care for all through the NHS Long Term Plan. We support NHS organisations to work in partnership to deliver better outcomes for our patients and communities and provide value for taxpayers.

We try to respond to life threatening situations within 8 minutes.

111 Press 2 is an urgent service offering assessment and signposting advice for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, or requiring support to manage their symptoms.