You should call 999 in a life-threatening emergency only. Life-threatening emergencies are different for adults and children.
Immediate action required: Adults – call 999 or go to A&E now for any of these:
- signs of a heart attack
chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest - signs of a stroke
face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking - sudden confusion (delirium)
cannot be sure of own name or age - suicide attempt
by taking something or self-harming - severe difficulty breathing
not being able to get words out, choking or gasping - choking
on liquids or solids right now - heavy bleeding
spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle - severe injuries
after a serious accident or assault - seizure (fit)
shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up) - sudden, rapid swelling
of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.
Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.
Immediate action required: Children – call 999 or take your child to A&E now for any of these:
- seizure (fit)
shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up) - choking
on liquids or solids right now - difficulty breathing
making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribcage - unable to stay awake
cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds - blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, tongue or lips
on brown or black skin, grey or blue palms or soles of the feet - limp and floppy
their head falls to the side, backwards or forwards - heavy bleeding
spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle - severe injuries
after a serious accident or assault - signs of a stroke
face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking - sudden rapid swelling
of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue - sudden confusion
agitation, odd behaviour or non-stop crying
British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.
Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.
If you cannot call 999 for any reason
To get to A&E safely you should:
- get someone to drive you
- bring any medicines you take regularly with you, if you can
- take a mobile phone in case you need to call 999 on the way
When it's not a life-threatening emergency
Urgent treatment centres can help with many of the most common problems people go to A&E for.
If you're not sure what to do, NHS 111 can help
NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now but you're not sure what to do.
If you need to go to A&E, NHS 111 can book an arrival time so they know you are coming. An arrival time is not an appointment but helps to avoid overcrowding.
Check your symptoms on 111 online, or call 111 to speak to someone if you need help for a child under 5.
What happens when you call 999
The call handler will ask you some questions.
They will want to know things like:
- the location of the emergency (for example, the postcode or any landmarks)
- what has happened (the main symptom or reason for the call)
- your contact number (in case they need to call you back)
They will tell you when they have all the information they need.
If you are told you will get a callback, make sure there is someone there to answer.
Calling 999 does not always mean an ambulance will be sent.
You might be told it's safe for you to make your own way to A&E, or to be seen elsewhere.
If it is a life-threatening emergency, paramedics or a community first responder will be sent to help.
They might arrive in:
- an emergency ambulance
- a rapid response vehicle or motorbike
- their own car
- a cycle response unit
- a combination of the above
The call handler will give you an idea of how long you will need to wait.
You might also be given instructions about what to do while you wait, including how to give basic first aid.
How you can help the ambulance crew
There are things you can do to help the paramedics:
- stay with the person until help arrives
- if you're in a dark house, turn on lights and open curtains
- if you're in a car, turn on the hazard lights
- call 999 again if the person's condition changes
- call 999 again if your location changes
- lock away family pets
- write down the person's GP details and collect any medicine they're taking, if you can
- tell the paramedics about any allergies the person has, if you know