NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) is a digital triage service, available in England only. We use the same system ("algorithm") as the 111 phone service.
It is for people aged 5 and over.
What a triage service does
You answer a series of questions about your main symptom.
The more questions there are the less serious it's likely to be. You will not get a diagnosis, but you will find out what help you need.
Knowing who and where you are
You can answer the questions yourself or on behalf of someone else.
You do not need to tell us who you are, but if we refer you to another service we will need some personal details.
We ask for your location so we can find local services to help you.
Choosing the right symptom
111 online has about 120 topics, covering most common symptoms.
We can triage one symptom at a time. If you have multiple symptoms, pick the one that is bothering you most.
We cannot give advice about conditions you already know you have.
Finding out what to do next
Based on your answers, we tell you what to do next.
There are different types of outcomes.
Getting a callback from a nurse
If your symptoms mean you need a callback from a nurse, you will be offered one and given a timeframe. You cannot request a callback.
111 online users or people who have called 111 go into the same callback queue and the waiting times are the same.
Referral to other urgent care services
You might be referred to urgent care services you can contact yourself or visit. These include:
- urgent treatment centres
- evening and weekend GPs
- specialist support for sexual or mental health
- A&E departments
Contacting your GP surgery
During daytime weekday hours, you might be advised to contact your own GP. We cannot make an appointment with your GP for you.
If other services are available instead of your GP, we will show them to you.
Dentists and opticians
If you need to go to a dentist, or an opticians, we'll tell you how to find one or you can contact your own. Some areas have emergency dentists we can show you.
Pharmacists
You might be referred to a pharmacist for help with a minor illness. Pharmacists can also give you an emergency supply of some prescribed medicines if you’ve run out.
Self-care
If you're told it’s safe to look after yourself, we'll tell you how to do that at home.