The NHS's top A&E doctor is urging the public to use 111
services this winter, as the health service launches its annual
campaign with adverts across online video, radio, podcasts and
social media.
The campaign comes as the NHS ramps up its plans to deliver the
safest possible care this winter, including the delivery of
millions of winter vaccines, smarter use of data, and more care
in the community including virtual wards and urgent community
response teams.
Professor Redhead reiterated long standing
NHS advice for people to use 999 or A&E services for life
threatening emergencies and serious injuries, and to otherwise
‘get to the help they need' by calling 111 and using 111 online
or via the NHS App.
It is estimated that up to two-fifths of A&E attendances are
avoidable or could be better treated elsewhere.
While nearly one in six (16.3% or 124,038) 999 calls last month
were completed with clinical advice over the phone, up by more
than 150% since before the pandemic (6.3% in October 2019) as the
NHS recruited more senior clinicians to call centres.
NHS 111 is an easy and convenient way for people to get urgent
help for a wide range of health problems from the comfort of
their own home, avoiding an unnecessary A&E trip or 999 call.
It can assess and direct people to the most appropriate local
service, including urgent treatment centres, GP practices, and
consultations with a pharmacist. If needed it can arrange a call
back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic or provide self-treatment
advice over the phone.
The 111 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
While people should always call 999 or go to A&E in an
emergency when someone is seriously ill or injured or their life
is at risk, NHS 111 is an easy and convenient way to get urgent
help in other situations.
Pressure has risen across other parts of the NHS with the health
service going into winter busier than ever before, after a record
few months of A&E and ambulance demand.
Professor Redhead, NHS national clinical
director for urgent and emergency care, said: “As
we approach the busiest time of year for A&Es, we want to
make sure that all patients are getting the safest possible
care which is why we are launching our campaign encouraging
everyone to ‘get to the help they need' by using NHS 111 online
or telephone services this winter.
“We know that up to two-fifths of A&E attendances could be
better treated elsewhere, as well as one in six calls to 999 just
needing advice over the phone, so I really want to encourage
everyone to use our free, around the clock 111 service that can
give millions of people this winter fast, safe and easy access to
the advice or treatment they need.
“Our plans for winter include easier access to urgent treatment
centres and community care, and so whether 111 gives you over the
phone clinical advice, directs you to a pharmacist, GP team or
community provider, or arranges a call with a nurse or paramedic,
by using it you can help us ensure everyone is getting the care
they need.
“And as ever, it is vital that the public use 999 and A&E in
life threatening situations.”
Earlier this year the NHS started offering crisis mental health
support through NHS 111, with people of all ages able to select a
mental health option when calling to speak to a trained mental
health professional.
The change is aimed at improving mental health provision and
providing patients with the care they need in a timely manner.
People who need help in another language can call 111 and ask for
an interpreter, British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact 111
using the NHS 111 BSL interpreter service by visiting 111.nhs.uk,
and text relay users can call 18001 111.
For more information go to www.nhs.uk/111.
