Londoners are encouraged to use NHS 111 service to avoid unnecessary A&E visits

It is estimated that 768,404 Londoners go to A&E each year who could have been helped by NHS 111

Londoners are being urged to avoid unnecessary trips to A&E by getting help from an enhanced NHS 111 service, which now offers a wider range of clinical services in the capital than ever before. This includes direct access to advice from GPs, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and specialists in mental health, cancer and child health.

Dr Patrice Baptiste, Barking, Havering and Redbridge (BHR) Trust said:

“NHS 111 in London can now offer patients an even wider range of medical advice direct from pharmacists, GPs, nurses and mental health specialists who work hand in hand with call handlers.

“We want to help people understand how NHS 111 can help them and reduce unnecessary trips to A&E, which will help our hospitals. I know that patients want high quality clinical advice, close to their home from trained professionals and this is what they can get from NHS 111.”

Dr Baptiste shares 5 things worth knowing about NHS 111

1. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s recently been enhanced and can now offer clinical advice, assessment and direction to the most appropriate healthcare service.
2. Depending on the situation, the NHS 111 team can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist or even a GP, and can arrange face-to-face appointments if they think you need one.
3. NHS 111 is staffed by fully trained advisors who can assess if you need an ambulance, and if you do, one will be sent immediately.
4. NHS 111 has a confidential interpreter service available in many languages.
5. If you need a prescription, the service can organise to have it available for pick up at a convenient local location for you.

London resident, Victoria Omololu shares her experience of using NHS 111:

“I called NHS 111 when I realised my son had drank washing up liquid. I knew I needed urgent, professional advice but knew it wasn’t life threatening enough to call 999. The call handler asked a series of questions to assess his condition. As a first time mum at that point, their advice really helped to reassure me and settle my nerves. They told me to keep an eye on him and what to do if his condition worsened. I’ve called NHS 111 since then and would definitely call again if I have any urgent medical concerns.”

For further information about NHS 111, please visit www.nhs.uk/111