Right Care, Right Place

• NHS 24 telephone service on 111 will be available day or night to assess your needs and direct you to the service you need.
• During normal opening hours, you should still call your GP practice, or get help online from a wide range of information and resources on NHS inform.
• This will help you get the right care in the right place, often closer to home and without the need to go to A&E.

In emergencies, you should continue to call 999 or go directly to the A&E.

If I need urgent care, what should I do?

We are now asking you to:

• use the NHS inform website to access advice on common symptoms, guidance for self-help and where to go if you need further medical care
• contact your local GP practice during the day for an appointment or over the phone advice
• use the NHS 24 telephone service on 111 day or night if you think you need A&E but it is not life-threatening
• use the NHS 24 111 Mental Health Hub and Breathing Space telephone helpline to access mental health advice and guidance
• use NHS 24 111 service and NHS inform out of hours when you are too ill to wait for your GP practice to open, or for worsening symptoms of COVID-19, and
• use your local minor injuries unit for non-life threatening but painful injuries such as a deep cut, a broken or sprained ankle or a painful burn injury.

And remember, if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (new persistent cough, high temperature, and/or loss of taste and smell), please avoid entering our healthcare settings. Instead, call NHS24 on 111 for advice and support.

Accident and Emergency - 999

Please remember that A&E or phoning 999 are for emergencies only, such as severe injury, a suspected heart attack or stroke, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding. If you do go to A&E, remember that measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus might mean that it's different to what you may have experienced before. You may be asked to attend alone and signposted to a more appropriate service to help keep you safe.

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 please do not attend the ED. You should phone NHS 24 on 111 and if the NHS 24 healthcare professional you speak to deems that you require further clinical assessment you will be directed to the appropriate care locally.

Mental Health Support

If you're feeling overwhelmed or need support you can call NHS 24 on 111, or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87. Breathing Space is open:

• Monday - Thursday 6pm to 2am
• Friday 6pm - Monday 6am
• You can also call Samaritans on 116 123. They're open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.