What to do when the GP practice is closed:

• If you need help fast but its not an emergency call 111
• If it's a life-threatening emergency call 999

NHS 111 is the number to call when you need medical help fast but it's not a life-threatening emergency

• Calls to 111 are free from landlines and mobiles
• NHS 111 is available 24/7, every day of the year

When to call 111

You should call 111 when:

• You think you need to go to A&E or to another NHS urgent care service
• Your GP surgery is closed and you need healthcare advice
• You don't know how to call for medical help

When to call 999

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as:

• Major accident or trauma
• Severe breathlessness
• Severe bleeding
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe chest pain

Out-of-hours services are provided during the following periods when the surgery is closed: Between 6pm - 8am weekdays and all weekend other than between 8:30am - 10:30am Saturday morning.

During normal practice opening hours, the practice remains your first point of contact for all routine requests.

NHS 111 - frequently asked questions

• What is NHS 111?
  • NHS 111 is a new telephone service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local health services, when you have an urgent need
  • If you need to contact the NHS for urgent care there are only three numbers to know; 999 for life-threatening emergencies, your GP surgery number and 111
  • When you call 111 you will be assessed, given advice and directed straightaway to the local service that can help you best - that could be an out-of-hours doctor, walk-in centre or urgent care centre, community nurse, emergency dentist or late opening chemist
  • NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year
  • Calls from landlines and mobile phones are free
• How does it work?
  • Calling 111 will get you through to a team of full trained calla advisors, who are supported by experienced nurses
  • They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you to the right local service
  • Where possible, they will book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak too
  • If you think you need an ambulance, one will be sent just as quickly if you dialled 999
• When do you use it?
  • You need medical help fast, but its not a 999 emergency
  • You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call
  • You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service
  • You require health information or reassurance about what to do next
• Why you should use it?
  • NHS 111 will direct you straight away to the local service that can help you best
• How much do calls to NHS 11 cost?
  • Calls to the NHS 111 are free from both landlines and mobile phones
• Is the NHS 111 service available 24/7?
  • Yes, NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year
• Who answers NHS 111 calls?
  • The North East Ambulance Service handles 111 calls for North East England in partnership with Northern Doctors Urgent Care
  • Calls are answered by fully trained call advisors, who are supported by experienced nurses
• Is the service available to people with a hearing impairment or communication difficulties?
  • People with communication difficulties or impaired hearing are able to use the NHS 111 service via a textphone by calling 18001 111
  • Calls are connected to the Text Direct system and the textphone will display messages to tell the user what is happening
  • Typetalk Relay Assistant will automatically join the call and they will speak the users typed conversation to the NHS 111 call advisor and will type back the advisor's conversation, so that this can be read on the callers textphone display (or computer)
• Is the service accessible to non-English speakers?
  • The NHS 111 service uses a translation service so that it is accessible to people who do not speak English
  • Callers who do not speak English should state the name of the language they want to conduct the conversation in and the interpreting service will be utilised

Easy Read Guide - 111