111, 999, A&E or pharmacy: getting the right NHS help

The NHS offers several ways to get medical help, and choosing the right one means you get treated faster and keeps emergency services free for those who truly need them. Here is a plain guide to each option.

Pharmacy - for minor illnesses and everyday health questions

Your local pharmacy (chemist) is often the quickest first stop for minor problems such as colds, headaches, mild skin conditions, hay fever, or a cough that has been going on for less than three weeks. Pharmacists are qualified clinicians and can give advice and recommend or sell treatments without an appointment. Many pharmacies now also offer a Pharmacy First service, where the pharmacist can treat certain common conditions such as earache, sore throat, or urinary tract infection (UTI) without you needing to see a GP. The consultation is free on the NHS; you pay for any prescription medicines at the standard prescription charge unless you are exempt.

GP (your doctor) - for non-urgent but ongoing or complex problems

See your GP for things that are not an emergency but need proper assessment - ongoing symptoms, mental health support, referrals to specialists, or managing a long-term condition. If you are not yet registered, read our guide to registering with a GP. NHS care is free at the point of use for those who are ordinarily resident in the UK.

NHS 111 - for urgent medical advice when your GP is closed

Call 111 (free from any phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) when you need medical help urgently but it is not a life-threatening emergency. Examples: you are not sure whether a symptom needs urgent attention, you need a repeat prescription quickly, or your GP surgery is closed. You can also use 111.nhs.uk online. The service will assess you, give advice, and if needed, book you into an urgent treatment centre or send help.

Language support: 111 has interpreters available. Say the name of your language when you call and an interpreter will be connected. You can also ask for a Nepali interpreter at a GP or hospital appointment - this is your right and there is no charge to you.

A&E (Accident & Emergency) - for serious injuries and sudden serious illness

Go to A&E (also called the Emergency Department) for serious or life-threatening situations such as:

• Chest pain or suspected heart attack
• Stroke symptoms (face drooping, arm weakness, speech problems - FAST)
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Deep wounds that will not stop bleeding
• Serious head injury or loss of consciousness
• Suspected broken bones

A&E is free at the point of use for emergency treatment - anyone can receive this regardless of immigration status. Do not drive yourself if you think you are having a heart attack or stroke.

999 - for life-threatening emergencies only

Call 999 immediately if there is an immediate threat to life - someone is not breathing, is unconscious, is having a heart attack or stroke, or there is a serious accident. An ambulance will be dispatched. Do not call 999 for things that are urgent but not life-threatening - use 111 instead, so that emergency lines stay free.

Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs)

Many areas have Urgent Treatment Centres - these handle injuries and illnesses that need same-day treatment but are not serious enough for A&E, such as minor cuts, sprains, or mild infections. They are often quicker than A&E for appropriate cases. Search for your nearest UTC through NHS 111 or the NHS website.

For the full NHS guide on when to use 111, see nhs.uk – when to use 111.