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Urgent and emergency care services in England

This is an overview of urgent and emergency services available in England. Find out when it is appropriate to use a particular service and what you can expect from it.

Call NHS 111

Call NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.

Call 999

Call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Visit A&E

Only go to A&E in a genuine life-threatening emergency.

Urgent care

Get help for a minor illness or injury at times you can't wait to see your GP.

Ask your pharmacist

Your pharmacist can give you advice for many common minor illnesses.

See your GP

Make an appointment with your GP if you are feeling unwell and it is not an emergency.

Mental health emergencies

Find out how to act if someone has a mental health crisis or acute emergency.

Dental emergency

Find out who to contact if you have a dental emergency.

Page last reviewed: 09/05/2024

Next review due: 09/05/2024

Urgent care services near you

Find emergency and urgent care services

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Vinnie Jones: Hard and Fast - hands-only CPR

Watch Vinnie Jones perform hands-only CPR to the beat of Stayin' Alive. CPR is not as hard as you may think. Just call 999 and then push Hard and Fast. This video was produced by the British Heart Foundation

Media last reviewed: 14/07/2024

Next review due: 14/07/2024

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