It’s important to get medical help if you think you need it. There are a range of health services that can help when you have an urgent health problem.
Using the right service for your needs, can help you get the care you need faster.
If you’re not sure what to do, contact NHS 111. It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
NHS 111
NHS 111 is a free NHS non-emergency service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by dialling 111 or seeking help online at www.111.nhs.uk
How can NHS 111 help me?
The NHS 111 service is there to help if:
- you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation where you would need to call 999
- you need health information, reassurance or advice about what to do or where to go for help – including if you think you might need to go to A&E or another urgent care service but don’t know for sure.
How do I know if I need to call 999 or 111?
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. To see more information, visit the NHS website.
How do I access NHS 111?
To get help from NHS 111 you can:
- dial 111 on your phone (calls are free even from smartphones)
- go to the nhs.uk website (for people aged 5 and over only)
How do I access NHS 111 phone service if I am deaf?
If you’re deaf and want to use the phone service, you can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language service by calling 18001 111 on a textphone.
You can also get help from NHS 111 using a BSL interpreter by visiting https://signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/. Using your computer and webcam or the app you can download via the website, you can make a video call to a BSL interpreter. The interpreter will phone an NHS 111 adviser and relay your conversation with them. The NHS 111 BSL interpreter service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This video will explain more.
How do I access the NHS 111 service if English is not my first language?
Translation services are available. For help in other languages, dial 111 and ask for an interpreter.
What happens when I call NHS 111?
Calls to 111 are answered by highly trained advisors who are supported by healthcare professionals such as GPs, nurses and paramedics. The advisor will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms. You will then either be given advice or treatment information by the advisor or directed to the local service that can help you best. If necessary, the advisor will get the appropriate health professional to call you back and speak to you.
Depending on your needs, this could be:
- A chemist or pharmacist who can give you the medicines or creams you need to treat yourself at home
- Your regular GP or an out-of-hours doctor
- A walk-in centre such as an urgent treatment centre or minor injuries unit
- A community nurse
- Anemergency dentist (follow this link for more information)
- A&E if you have an issue such as severe chest pain, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding
- If the NHS 111 advisor thinks you need an ambulance, they will arrange for one to be sent to you
- Where possible, and if needed, the NHS 111 team will book you an appointment with a health professional (such as an out-of-hours GP).
- If necessary, arrival slots can also be booked at A&E and urgent treatment centres to cut down on waiting times.
NHS 111 online
NHS 111 online provides help and advice for people aged 5 and over only. Visit www.111.nhs.uk to access the service.
NHS 111 online uses the same clinical algorithms as the 111 phone service, taking you through questions about your symptoms to receive tailored advice on what to do next and where to go. Sometimes you may think these questions are not relevant, but they have been carefully designed to help the advisor recommend the right course of action for you.
You can access NHS 111 online on a smartphone, tablet or computer – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – and if needed, you will be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist or GP.
Guides to the NHS 111 service
Here are some helpful accessible guides to using the 111 service from the NHS website:
- large print guide to NHS 111 (PDF, 1.8Mb)
- easy read guide to NHS 111 (PDF, 1Mb)
- British Sign Language (BSL) video about NHS 111 on YouTube
- audio guide to NHS 111 on SoundCloud
Pharmacy - expert clinical advice and over the counter medicines
Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals, who can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
Pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can ask for advice without being overheard.
GP services including evening and weekend appointments
Call your GP surgery if you need an urgent appointment. If your GP surgery is closed, a recorded message will tell you who to contact.
Evening and weekend GP appointments are available for adults and children at GP Hubs across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. Find out how to book an evening or weekend appointment in your area.
Urgent dental care
If you need urgent dental treatment, contact your usual dental practice. They may be able to see you or direct you to an urgent dental care service.
If you do not have a regular dentist, contact NHS 111 for advice on where you can get urgent care. NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Go to 111.nhs.uk
- Call 111
Do not contact a GP. They cannot provide dental treatment.
Urgent mental health help
Please visit our Getting help in a mental health crisis page for a full list of support services.
Urgent treatment and walk-in centres
You can visit an NHS urgent treatment centre or walk in centre if you need help with an urgent health problem that is not life threatening. You can find the locations and opening times of all the urgent treatment centres and walk-in centres in north central London below.
Conditions they can help with include sprains and strains, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, and bites and stings.
Edgware NHS Walk-in Centre
Edgware Community Hospital
Burnt Oak Broadway
Edgware, HA8 0AD
Tel: 020 8732 6459
Open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week (last patient booking at 7pm)
This centre is open to patients with minor injuries and illnesses.
Website: clch.nhs.uk/services/walk-in-centres
Finchley NHS Walk-in Centre
Finchley Memorial Hospital
Granville Road
London, N12 0JE
Tel: 020 8349 7470
Open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week (last patient booking at 7pm)
This centre is open to patients with minor injuries and illnesses.
Website: clch.nhs.uk/services/walk-in-centres
Urgent Treatment Centre, Barnet Hospital
Wellhouse Lane, Barnet EN5 3DJ
Open 8am to midnight, seven days a week
Find out more: Urgent Treatment Centre at Barnet Hospital
Urgent Treatment Centre, Chase Farm Hospital
Ground floor, The Ridgeway Enfield, EN2 8JL
Open: 8am to 10pm, seven days a week (last patient check-in at 9pm)
Find out more: Urgent Treatment Centre at Chase Farm
Urgent Treatment Centre, North Middlesex Hospital
Sterling Way, London N18 1QX
The urgent treatment centre is based within the hospital’s A&E department
Open 9am to 10pm, seven days a week
Find out more: Urgent treatment centre at North Mid Hospital
Urgent Treatment Centre, Royal Free Hospital
Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
The urgent treatment centre is based within the hospital’s A&E department
Open 10am to 10pm, seven days a week
Find out more: Urgent Treatment Centre (royalfree.nhs.uk)
Urgent Treatment Centre, University College London Hospital (24 hours)
235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU
The urgent treatment centre is based within the hospital’s A&E department
Open 24 hours per day, seven days a week
Find out more: Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre (uclh.nhs.net)
Urgent Treatment Centre, Whittington
Magdala Avenue, London N19 5NF
The urgent treatment centre is based within the hospital’s A&E department
Open 8am to midnight, seven days a week
Find out more: Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre (whittington.nhs.uk)
Accident and Emergency / 999
Accident and Emergency is specifically to treat people with serious and life threatening conditions only and the doctors and nurses there are specially trained to do this important job. By carefully considering the best place for your injury or illness, you will assist the doctors and nurses in A&E to concentrate on treating those who need to be there.
In an emergency dial 999.
If you're not registered with a GP
You can call any GP surgery to request emergency treatment for up to 14 days if you are not registered with a GP or are away from home.
If your treatment will last longer than 14 days, you’ll have to register as a temporary or permanent resident. Read more about: