At some point, most people will need to get help because of an accident or a medical emergency. This is more likely if you have children or elderly relatives living with you. Planning ahead and understanding what your options are in an emergency will help you get the best care as quickly as possible.
Your options in an emergency include:
Calling 999
Only dial 999 in a critical or life-threatening situation, for example is someone has:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- persistent, severe chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that can't be stopped
For more information on what to do in an emergency, go to emergency and urgent care services.
If you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke, call 999 immediately. Every second counts with these conditions.
Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments
Major A&E departments are usually open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. A&E departments have access to specialists and specialist investigations. When you go to A&E, a doctor or nurse will assess your condition and decide what action to take. Your condition may need to be investigated further, for example you may need to have an X-ray or you may need to be admitted into hospital for a longer stay or receive long-term treatment. The treatment you receive will depend on your clinical need.
If you don’t know whether your situation is an emergency, or you don’t think it is but don’t know where to access appropriate help then one of the following services maybe more suitable.
NHS 111 service
NHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services when you need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help – wherever you are, and whatever the time. Find out more about NHS 111, including which areas of the country are currently covered by the service.
NHS Direct
If you live outside the NHS 111 areas and need medical help but not 999, please continue to call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. This service will continue to be available until April 2013.
GP services
For illnesses that are not life-threatening, contact your GP surgery. Outside of normal surgery hours you can still phone your GP, but you will usually be directed to an out-of-hours service. The out-of-hours period is from 6.30pm to 8am on weekdays, and all day at weekends and on bank holidays. During out-of-hours periods you can also call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (or NHS 111 if available in your area).
Minor injuries units, walk-in centres and urgent care centres
If your injury is not serious, go to a minor injuries unit (MIU), walk-in centre or urgent care centre rather than an A&E department. You could be seen more quickly than in A&E, and it allows staff in A&E to concentrate on people with serious and life-threatening conditions.
The types of injury they can treat varies, so it is best to phone before you go to check, but they may be able to treat:
If there is not a minor injuries unit in your area then these services are also provided by A&E departments.
MIUs and walk-in centres cannot treat:
Be aware that some MIUs and walk-in centres do not have the facilities to treat young children. The decision lies with the MIU or walk-in centre and is based on the capacity, resource or skill levels available. Please contact your local MIU or walk-in centre in advance if you are not sure if you or your child can be treated there.
Plan ahead for an emergency. Go to Find services to find your local A&E department and MIU. Print out the details and keep them where you can see them, such as on your fridge door.
If you have a long-term condition, write down the details of your GP, prescriptions, other medications and any test results. Keep them handy so you can give as much information as possible to the person who provides treatment in an emergency.
Keep a basic first aid kit in your home and ensure that everyone, including children, knows how to use it.
