111 pressures key messages

  • NHS services across the North West are experiencing extremely high demand at the moment – this includes GP practices and the 111 service which are both extremely busy
  • It’s important that urgent and emergency services are available for people who need them
  • Only call 999 if it’s an emergency or life-threatening situation or 111 if you need advice on something that’s urgent
  • If you need advice for an every-day illness or injury, please either contact your local pharmacy for help or look at the self-care advice that’s available on-line from the NHS at nhs.uk
  • If you want to check your symptoms, there is an on-line symptom checker available at 111.nhs.uk, which will re-direct you to a health professional if you need to be seen by someone
  • If you are on medication for asthma, make sure your prescription is up to date
  • If you are on repeat medication for a long term health condition, make sure you have enough of your medication available
  • The 111 service cannot prescribe or give advice on the availability of antibiotics
  • If you have persistent symptoms that are not getting better, contact your GP practice