NHS 111 is staffed by a team of trained professionals who can help direct patients to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment. This could include arranging a face-to-face appointment with a GP, a pharmacy consultation, a call-back from a nurse, or an appointment at an urgent walk-in treatment centre.
It is estimated up to two fifths of A&E attendances are avoidable or could be better treated elsewhere. This latest campaign highlights different care options that not only are more convenient for patients but can also help relieve pressure on busy emergency departments.
The latest published data showed it was the busiest ever October for A&E attendances and most serious ambulance callouts – with more than 2.17 million patients attending emergency departments in England, while ambulance services responded to 83,986 life-saving calls.
Extensive work is already underway to boost capacity ahead of winter including through expanding rapid response teams to help people who have fallen at home, and increase the number of call handlers working in NHS 111 and 999.
New 24/7 system control centres are also being created in every local area to manage demand and capacity across the entire country by live tracking beds and attendances.
Using NHS 111 online services where possible – which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week – will also enable the 111 phone service to triage more people with urgent issues.
Dr Peter Williams, Medical Director, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:
“As with other hospitals across the country, Whiston Hospital has seen record-breaking A&E attendances in recent months – which, unfortunately, is only set to continue as the NHS faces growing pressures this winter.
“This new campaign will remind the public that NHS 111 online is available to signpost people to the best option for their care needs – it can provide the most appropriate local treatment option for medical issues quickly without needing to leave your home and saving you an unnecessary trip to A&E.
“We will always prioritise those needing emergency or urgent treatment first, and if your condition is not life-threatening, this may lead to a much longer wait to be seen.
“Where people need to access NHS services, but their need is not an emergency we would urge people to call 111 or use the online service www.nhs.uk/111 in the first instance and allow the experienced call-handlers to direct them to the best service for their care.
“People can be absolutely assured that if they have an emergency, we are open and are here to care for them. In an emergency, people should always still call 999.”
To access NHS 111, go to 111.nhs.uk or dial 111 at any time – it operates 24-hours a day, every day.
Through 111.nhs.uk people can:
- Find out how to get the right healthcare in their area, including whether they need to see a GP or seek urgent care
- Get advice on self-care
- Get a call back from a nurse, doctor or other trained health professional if they need it
People should dial 111 to speak to someone if they need to:
- Discuss complex medical problems
- Get medical advice for a child under five.
The NHS is also continuing to roll out the autumn Covid booster programme at speed, with over half of those eligible receiving their top up in just two months, and more than 14 million receiving their flu jab.
Those eligible for their autumn top-up are able to attend one of over 200 walk-in sites, including Knowsley’s Living Well service – click here for locations – or book an appointment on the National Booking Service, and book flu vaccinations through their GP practice or by visiting one of the many thousands of participating community pharmacies.