People urged to use NHS 111 online this winter
The local NHS is encouraging people to use the NHS 111 online service to get the help they need from the convenience of their own homes as winter pressures increase across the country.
The NHS 111 online service is available for people to use to get help on a wide range of health problems. The service is best equipped to direct people to the most appropriate local treatment option such as GPs, pharmacy consultations, a call-back from a nurse, or urgent walk-in treatment centres.
It is estimated up to two-fifths of A&E attendances are avoidable or could be better treated elsewhere, there are many different care options - not only are they more convenient for patients but can also help relieve pressure on already busy emergency departments.
Dr Ed Capo-Bianco, Urgent Care Clinical Lead at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), and a local GP, said:
“I urge local people to use NHS 111 online if they feel unwell and need medical advice about getting the right care. Winter always sees an increase in people with coughs, colds and fever but NHS 111 can explain how to care for yourself and also put you in touch with a nurse or doctor. You can help us ease the pressure on health services this winter by visiting NHS 111 online.”
Vaughan Lewis, Medical Director for NHS England South East, said: “NHS 111 online can signpost you to the right care at the right place at the right time this winter - it can rapidly provide the most appropriate local treatment option without leaving home and could save you an unnecessary trip to A&E.
“Whether it is an appointment with your GP you need or another urgent care provider, the service can give you advice about how you can care for yourself at home and can even arrange a call back from a health professional. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Dr John Black, medical director at South Central Ambulance Service, said: “Our frontline ambulance crews, 999 and 111 call handlers, patient transport service, volunteers and the many other teams who ensure we can respond to patients as quickly as possible are working extremely hard as we see increased demand for our services.
“As always we are prioritising responses to the most seriously ill and injured patients and everyone who needs an ambulance response will get one, but there are other and often better options for people to get the care they need which can help to reduce some the of pressure we face.
“NHS 111 online is a really useful tool which can refer people to the most appropriate service available including getting a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, booking them an appointment in A&E or providing advice on how to help them recover.
“We are encouraging everyone to help play their part as we approach the busy winter period by utilising 111 online for medical advice, by getting their flu and covid vaccinations and ensuring calls to 999 are only made in life-threatening emergencies.”
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 call 111 to speak to someone if they need to:
- Discuss complex medical problems
- Get medical advice for a child under five.
You can watch a short film about NHS 111 here: