04/12/2025
Since Monday, our 999 control rooms have answered more than 5,000 calls every day - that's about the same number of calls we take on New Year's Eve. Help us to help you by only calling 999 in a genuine life-threatening emergency so that our ambulances are free to respond to those needing our help the most.
If you need medical advice and it's not an emergency you can:
🤕Look after yourself or the patient at home. Many minor illnesses and injuries can be treated in your home by using over-the-counter medicine and getting plenty of rest. If you cannot stay at home, see if family or friends are able to help.
💊Talk to your local pharmacist - they can treat and provide medicines for 7 common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, aiming to address health issues before they get worse.
👩⚕️ GP surgeries - they can offer appointments with a range of health professionals including a GP, nurse, clinical pharmacist or physiotherapist, depending on your situation. Appointments may be face to face, over the phone or online.
1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣- Call or visit 111.nhs.uk - 111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed (out-of-hours).
🏥Urgent treatment centres - UTCs provide urgent medical help when it's not a life-threatening emergency. They can diagnose and deal with many common problems people go to A&E for.
Not sure where your nearest health services are? Visit www.nhs.uk.
