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Tag: NHS 111 online

North West Ambulance Service Appeal: Use NHS 111 online for non-urgent health concerns

North West Ambulance Service is highlighting the benefits of an online service that could provide quicker health advice for people who need it this bank holiday weekend.

Callers to the NHS 111 phone line often find there are longer wait times to speak to a health advisor during the bank holiday as demand traditionally rises when access to their GP is restricted. Earlier this month, during the early May Bank Holiday weekend (4th-6th May 2024), the North West NHS 111 service saw a 46% increase in calls compared to the previous week.

Patients seeking help through NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) will answer the same questions as if they were speaking to someone but without the wait.

111.nhs.uk can help you with:

  • Where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do
  • How to find general health information and advice
  • Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
  • How to get a repeat prescription
  • Getting emergency dental appointments

You can also access it through the NHS app. 111 online is not suitable for queries regarding patients under 5. You should still dial 111.

Paul Johnston, 111 Senior Service Delivery Manager, said, “Demand is always high on the 111 service during bank holidays as the public has less access to other healthcare options, such as their GP. We try to ensure we answer as many calls as possible by increasing staffing levels, but some callers will still wait longer than usual. We also expect the number of people calling 999 to increase in the days after the bank holiday, so we also urge patients to ONLY call 999 in life-threatening emergencies (see below) so as to keep ambulances available for those who need them.”

You should call 999 if you or someone else experiences:

  • Signs of a heart attack like pain like a heavy weight in the centre of your chest
  • Signs of stroke, such as your face dropping on one side
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
  • Seizures
  • Or sudden and rapid swelling of the eyes, lips, throat or tongue.

Dr Paula Cowan, Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West, said: “This is an extremely busy time for NHS staff and we are extremely grateful for them working tirelessly over this bank holiday weekend and the days after, to ensure all those that need care receive it. The public can help us by using the right service for their needs, including 111 online for quick and easy medical help. NHS 111 online can help with the same problems as the 111 phone service and is a fast and convenient alternative. You can answer questions about your symptoms on the website or in the NHS App and get advice about what to do next. This includes getting a call back from a clinician if you need one.”

NWAS Promotes the Use of NHS 111 online During the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend

As Easter approaches, North West Ambulance Service is highlighting the benefit of using NHS 111 online to help with non-urgent health concerns.

Traditionally, Bank Holiday weekends are a busy time for health advisors in the NHS 111 call centres in the North West, as the public has less access to GPs and pharmacies. This can lead to patients waiting longer than usual to speak to a health advisor over the phone. NHS 111 online can supply a wide range of health advice and information without the wait.

It can help with:

  • how to find general health information and advice
  • where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do
  • where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
  • how to get a repeat prescription
  • how to get emergency dental appointments

The online service is not suitable for children under 5 years old; for these cases, it is still recommended to dial 111.

Paul Johnston, Senior Service Delivery Manager for NHS 111, said, “37,000 calls were made to the 111 number in the North West over the 2023 Easter Bank Holiday weekend. In comparison, there were 10,000 fewer calls from Friday to Monday the following weekend. We also know that a high proportion of those calls were made by people who ran out of repeat prescription medication. We would encourage the public to check now that they have enough medicines to make it through the weekend and to make sure they collect any repeat medicines that have been ordered or arrange to have them delivered ahead of the bank holiday.”

Dr Paula Cowan, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West said: “We are extremely grateful to the dedicated NHS teams working across the North West this coming Easter bank holiday weekend to ensure all those who need care receive it. The NHS is always there for anyone who needs it. NHS 111 online should be the first port of call for anyone who needs urgent medical advice, as it is quickly and easily accessible. It helps direct people to the right service quickly and provides medical advice. It’s just one of the ways that we are trying to get people to the right service, first time, while keeping urgent and emergency services free for the most seriously ill and injured patients. Urgent and emergency care services will be open over the bank holiday, and in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency, people should call 999.

“Some GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter bank holiday, and many will be closed from Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April. Some pharmacies will continue to be open over the Easter bank holiday and members of the public can seek health advice on a range of illness and health concerns from the pharmacy.

To find your nearest open pharmacy please check online Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk). Think Pharmacy first.