GP out of hours service (Northern Ireland)
If you need urgent medical care when your GP surgery is closed, you can phone the out of hours service for your area first. The doctor or nurse will assess you, give you advice by telephone, decide if you need to see a doctor or refer you to another service.
Good to know
There is no single number: the nidirect page has a table with a telephone and a textphone number for each area, where the textphone number is 18001 followed by the area number. It is not for repeat prescriptions, dental problems or minor ailments a pharmacist can treat. If your condition is life-threatening, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Before you call
They can
- assess you by phone: the doctor or nurse will give you advice, decide if you need to see a doctor, or refer you to another service
- take textphone calls: the page gives 18001 followed by the area number
They cannot
- help with repeat prescriptions, dental problems or minor ailments a pharmacist can treat
- replace 999: if your condition is life-threatening, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance
- answer in the daytime on weekdays: the service runs from 6.00 pm on weekdays until your GP surgery opens, and 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
In the emergency guides: I was just in a car accident → · I was hurt at work →
- Website
- https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/gp-out-hours-service
- Hours
- 6.00pm on weekdays until your GP surgery opens the next morning; 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
- Coverage
- Northern Ireland
- Languages
- English
- Last checked
- October 9, 2026
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Shared by FindAngel.org — free, always · https://findangel.org/resources/uk-ni-gp-out-of-hours/