Out Of Hours

NHS 111 service

Call 111 when it’s less urgent than 999

NHS 111 is a new service that’s being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services in England. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

When to use it

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.

Call 111 if:

  • you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
  • you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
  • you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
  • you need health information or reassurance about what to do next

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.

If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, continue to use that number.

How does it work?

The NHS 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 A&E, an out-of-hours doctor, an urgent care centre or a walk-in centre, a community nurse, an emergency dentist or a late-opening chemist.

Where possible, the NHS 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.

Get medical help 24/7

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.

Extreme Emergencies
In cases of extreme urgency, eg suspected heart attacks, severe shortness of breath, acute abdominal pains or suspected broken bones, you may be advised by the doctors to call an ambulance or go directly to a casualty department.
The nearest is North Middlesex University Hospital and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For such emergencies it is quite appropriate to dial 999.

Urgent Care Centre
Use your local urgent care centre or walk-in centre if you need medical treatment or advice which does not need a visit to A&E or when you can’t wait for an appointment with your GP:


Chase Farm Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)
Ground Floor Chase Farm Hospital

The Ridgeway,
Enfield
EN2 8JL.
Open daily 8am to 8pm.
Tel:020 8 375 1010 

North Middlesex Hospital Same Day Care Service (SDCS)

Main Building Level 0 (Ground Floor)
Sterling Way, Edmonton, N18 1QX.
Open daily 8am to 8pm. (including Bank Holidys)
Tel:020 8887 3709