Calling 111

What we do

Our website contains lots of advice and information and should be the first place for you to look before you call us including the list of services near you and symptom checkers.

The 111 telephone(1) service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can use it for urgent health advice on what services to access or how to manage an illness or condition and to access urgent primary care out of hours (where that service is available in your area).

Some of the things that 111 is not able to provide are arranging a COVID-19 test or vaccination or self-isolation advice (you must call 119 for this). We also are not able to advise on registration for GP or Dental practices or prescriptions or appointments for a GP during the working week.

Your call will be answered more quickly if you are able to call at our quieter times of the day. These are currently

  • Monday to Friday before 5pm and after 9pm
  • Saturday and Sunday before 9am and after 3pm

Resolving your call

When you first call 111 you will speak to a trained Call Handler who may be able to deal with your issue. If the Call Handler determines you need to speak to a Clinical Advisor, you will be called back as soon as one becomes available.

With the extremely high demand the Clinical Advisors are also experiencing delays and your call-back may take longer than normal. Please do not call to check if we are delayed as this will prevent other calls getting through. If you no longer need us though, please call 111 and let us know as this will help us get to someone else more quickly.

1) Including Language Line, Relay 24 and Sign Video