Out of Hours

What to do when your GP practice is closed:

NHS 111 is the Practice Out of Hours Provider. Out of Hours operates between 6:30pm and 8:00am on each weekday, all weekend and bank and public holidays.

What is NHS 111?

NHS 111 is a service which has been introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services when you need medical help fast, but it isn’t a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help – wherever you are, and whatever the time.

You can call NHS 111 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and all calls from landlines and mobiles are free.

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.

You should 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 another NHS urgent care service
• you don’t know who to call, or you don’t have a GP to call, or
• you require health information or reassurance about what to do next

For less urgent health needs you should still contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way. For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

How does it work?

The service is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses, who will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, give you the healthcare advice you need and direct you to the right local service as quickly as possible. This can include an out-of-hours doctor, walk-in centre or urgent care centre, community nurses, emergency dentist or late-opening chemist.

When you call 111, you will be assessed straight away. In an emergency, an ambulance will be sent immediately without the need for any further assessment. For any other health problems, the NHS 111 call advisers will be able to direct you to the service that is best able to meet your needs. If a health professional has given you a specific telephone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, please continue to use that number.

Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.