Get in the know about getting urgent help

Patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being encouraged to use NHS 111 online when they have an urgent medical need, in the latest phase of the Get in the Know campaign announced by the local NHS today. The campaign advises patients to use NHS 111 online before travelling to other services to help them get the right care as quickly as possible.

The next phase of industrial action directly affecting local services is due to start on Monday 6^th March 2023, with further dates planned during March. The NHS is particularly keen that people know what to do when it’s urgent, to ensure they are treated in the right place and help emergency services care for people with life threatening needs, during what will be an extremely busy period

Available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, NHS 111 online offers a fast and convenient solution to your urgent health problem. They can:

• tell you where to get help for your symptoms;
• direct you to urgent care services, GPs, pharmacies, emergency dental services, or other more appropriate local services – and book you an appointment or provide an arrival time;
• direct you to where you can get emergency supplies of your prescribed medicines; and
• provide general health information and advice.

If you have access to a computer or smartphone visit NHS111 Online at 111.nhs.uk. If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone, or for children under 5, you can call NHS 111 instead. If you have hearing loss, are deaf or have difficulties communicating you can also access NHS 111 by textphone on 18001 111 and British Sign Language (BSL) users can use the NHS 111 BSL interpreter service.

For life-threatening illnesses or injuries, people should always dial 999.

Dr Nil Sanganee, Chief Medical Officer for the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “Many people assume they need 999 or A&E when they have an urgent medical problem, but these are emergency services for when it’s life threatening. To get the right care, as quickly as possible, NHS 111 online is the service to use. By using it before setting out anywhere, it will help you get seen as close to home as possible, keep your waiting time to a minimum and ensure you don’t have a wasted journey.

“In many cases people do know what action to take when they are unwell but use NHS 111 online for some extra reassurance or advice on how they can look after the problem themselves. The service is really useful for this and it means people can stay at home when they are under the weather and minimise any further spread of common bugs.”

The Get in the Know campaign launched in November 2022 to raise awareness of local health services. The campaign has been introduced in phases and has so far covered what to do for minor illnesses and injuries, getting mental health support and how to use GP practices. Visit GetInTheKnow.co.uk to find out more.