When the practice is closed you can access the GP out-of-hours service by calling NHS 111. You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles telephones – just dial 111.
The NHS 111 team will assess your condition over the phone and if they think you need to be seen by a health professional they will refer you to an out-of-hour doctor or a community nurse. You might be asked to attend the out-of-hours clinic, receive a home visit or advised to attend the nearest A&E (accident and emergency) if appropriate.
Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
NHS 111 uses Type Talk for people who are hard of hearing, and has interpreters available for calls who do not speak English.
Call NHS 111 if:
- You need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
- You think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care services
- You don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
- You need health information or reassurance about what to do next
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and/or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
