NHS 24 (111 in Scotland)
If you need urgent care when your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed, or you think you need A&E but it is not life or limb threatening, you can phone 111. It can also help if you are in mental health distress.
Good to know
Phoning 111 is free. During normal working hours, contact your own GP for urgent advice. It is busiest at weekends and public holidays, when you may be offered a call back. For a life or limb threatening emergency, phone 999.
Before you call
Have ready
- if you are phoning for someone else, be with them at the time of the call
They may ask
- who you are
- where you are phoning from
- why you are phoning
They can
- assess you and refer you to your local NHS services, which may be a phone or video consultation with a clinician, or an appointment at A&E or a Minor Injuries Unit
- offer a call back at weekends and public holidays, instead of waiting on hold
They cannot
- arrange appointments at your GP or manage appointments in your local area: your local health board contacts you
- deal with a life or limb threatening emergency: phone 999 or go to A&E
Busiest 6pm to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to midday on Saturdays and Sundays. If you miss a callback, a nurse tries up to 3 times; after that you phone 111 again.
In the emergency guides: I was just in a car accident → · I'm being sent home from hospital, or someone I care for is → · I was hurt at work →
- Phone
- 111
- Website
- https://www.nhs24.scot/111
- Hours
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Coverage
- Scotland
- Languages
- English
- Last checked
- October 3, 2026
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Shared by FindAngel.org — free, always · https://findangel.org/resources/uk-nhs-24/