If needed, expert clinicians will arrange for you to be seen at the emergency department or at our range of other treatment units. Please don’t just turn up, as you may be directed elsewhere or have to wait longer.
It means you will get the right treatment, more quickly and probably closer to home as well And if you’re a visitor to the area, you don’t need to look up details of NHS services if you need urgent treatment. Just phone 111 or go online at 111.nhs.uk.
How does NHS 111 work?
The 111 service is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses and paramedics. They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms. Then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you straightaway to the local service that can help you best. That could be the emergency department, urgent treatment centre, minor injury unit, out-of-hours doctor, emergency dentist or a pharmacy.
Where possible, the 111 team will book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to. If NHS 111 advisers think you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange for one to be sent to you.
Calls to 111 are recorded. All calls and the records created are maintained securely, and will only be shared with others directly involved with your care.
NHS 111 accessibility
NHS 111 offers a video relay service that allows you to make a video call to a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. The BSL interpreter will call a 111 adviser on your behalf. You will then be able to have a real-time conversation with the 111 adviser via the interpreter. You’ll need a webcam, a modern computer, and a good broadband connection to use this service.
If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, you can use the 111 service through a textphone by calling 1800 1111. Calls are connected to the Text Direct system. The textphone will display messages to tell you what’s happening. A type talk relay assistant will automatically join the call. They’ll talk back what you’ve typed to the NHS 111 adviser. In return, type back the adviser’s conversation so you can read it on your textphone’s display or computer.
There is also a confidential interpreter service, which is available in many languages. Simply mention the language you wish to use when the NHS 111 operator answers your call.
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