Featured guide
Choose urgent health help in the UK
A routing guide for deciding between 999, NHS 111 and routine care. It does not diagnose symptoms.
More practical guidance
Guides marked Free are open to everyone. Unlock all guides from Β£3.99 β one payment, no automatic renewal.
Take charge in the first 90 days after a long-term diagnosisβ Golden EditionUnderstand your diagnosis, build a care plan with your NHS team, sort prescriptions, work, driving and insurance, and set up routines that help you live well.Secure NHS Continuing Healthcare funding for a relativeβ Golden EditionGet a fair NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment for a relative with complex needs, build the evidence, speak up at the meeting and appeal a wrong decision.Get an adult ADHD or autism assessment and the support afterβ Golden EditionGet from first suspicion to a quality adult ADHD or autism assessment in England: GP referral, Right to Choose, private risks, support while waiting and help at work.π In-depth: The complete guide to using NHS services wellFreeHow to find the right NHS help at the right time: GP, NHS 111, pharmacies, urgent treatment centres, A&E, dentists, mental health support and the NHS App. Reading time: 15β20 minutes.Stay active indoors through the cold, dark monthsπ MembersPick indoor movement ideas that fit your space, fitness and routine so you keep moving all winter without needing a gym or good weather.Cook nourishing, warming meals through the winterπ MembersUse practical ideas for soups, one-pot dishes and batch cooking to eat a balanced diet through autumn and winter, with less waste and less time at the stove.Measure your blood pressure at home accuratelyπ MembersChoose a suitable monitor, take readings the right way and keep a clear record to share with your GP or nurse, knowing when a reading needs urgent help.Get mental health help for your child or teenagerπ MembersSpot when your child needs more support, talk to them, and find help through school, your GP and children's mental health services, including in a crisis.Look after your teeth and gums between dental visitsπ MembersBuild a daily routine that protects teeth and gums, cut the habits that cause decay, and know what to do about toothache or a dental emergency.Look after a child with a high temperatureπ MembersCheck your child's temperature properly, keep them comfortable at home and know the warning signs that mean calling 111, your GP or 999 straight away.Use your right to choose an NHS hospital or clinicπ MembersUnderstand your right to choose where you are referred in England, compare waiting times and ask your GP for the provider that suits you best.Talk to your GP about perimenopause and menopauseπ MembersTrack your symptoms, prepare for a focused GP appointment and understand the options to discuss, so you leave with a clear plan for perimenopause or menopause.Start running from scratch with a beginner planπ MembersGo from no running to 30 minutes non-stop with a gradual run-walk plan, the right kit for darker evenings and simple ways to avoid injury.Get a memory assessment for a worried relativeπ MembersRaise memory concerns gently with a relative, gather useful examples and help them through a GP visit and referral to a memory assessment service.Recognise stroke, heart attack and sepsis signsπ MembersLearn the warning signs of a stroke, heart attack and sepsis, what to say when you call 999 and what to do while waiting, so you act fast when minutes count.Get your hearing checked and protectedπ MembersNotice early signs of hearing loss, get a hearing test on the NHS or high street, know what to expect from hearing aids and protect the hearing you have.Look after your eyes and book a sight testπ MembersBook regular sight tests, check if yours is NHS-funded, spot eye symptoms that need urgent care and use your local optometrist for minor eye problems.Build strength and balance to prevent fallsπ MembersStart simple strength and balance exercises at home, make your home safer against falls and know when to ask your GP about a falls assessment.Manage everyday stress with a simple planπ MembersSpot what stress is doing to you, cut the load where you can, build small daily habits that help and know when stress needs support from your GP or others.Quit smoking with free NHS supportFreeChoose a quit date, get free support from your local stop smoking service, and use proven aids to manage cravings and stay smoke-free.Cut down on alcohol and track your drinkingFreeWork out how much you really drink, set realistic limits, use simple swaps and get free support if cutting down is harder than you expected.Get an NHS Health Check and know your numbersFreeFind out if you can have a free NHS Health Check, book it, prepare for the appointment and understand what to do with your results afterwards.Look after a bad back at home safelyFreeEase everyday back pain with gentle movement and self-care, know which warning signs need urgent help, and find out how to get physiotherapy support.Build healthier eating habits step by stepFreeUse the NHS Eatwell Guide to make small, lasting changes to what you eat, plan simple meals and read food labels without following a strict diet.Book your autumn flu and COVID vaccinesπ MembersCheck whether you or your family are eligible for free NHS winter vaccines this season and book them in good time before illnesses peak.Use your local pharmacy for minor illnessesπ MembersGet quick advice and, where eligible, treatment from your local pharmacy for common minor illnesses, saving time and freeing up GP appointments.Look after your mood in the darker monthsπ MembersBuild simple daily habits to protect your mood through autumn and winter, and know when and where to get extra support if you need it.Stay well at home in cold weatherπ MembersProtect your health, and that of vulnerable relatives, when the temperature drops, with practical steps to keep warm and spot cold-related illness.Care for someone with a winter bug at homeπ MembersLook after a family member with a cold, flu or sickness bug at home, stop it spreading and know when to call NHS 111 or 999.Prepare for a health appointmentFreeBring a short symptom timeline, medicine list and priority questions so limited appointment time is easier to use.Keep an accurate medicine listFreeMaintain a portable record of prescribed and non-prescribed medicines for appointments, emergencies and medication reviews.Build a simple sleep routineπ MembersSet a regular sleep and wake time, create a calm wind-down and a comfortable bedroom, and know when poor sleep is worth discussing with a pharmacist or GP.Start walking for fitness safelyπ MembersBuild a walking habit step by step, from short easy walks to brisk regular ones, with simple safety checks and clear signs that mean stop and get medical help.Put together a home first-aid kitπ MembersAssemble a well-stocked home first-aid kit, store it safely, keep it in date and make sure everyone at home knows where it is and when to call 999 or 111.Register with a GP and find an NHS dentistπ MembersFind and register with a local GP practice and look for an NHS dentist accepting patients, so you can get routine care when you need it without last-minute stress.Prepare your home and health for a heatwaveπ MembersKeep your home cooler, protect vulnerable people and spot the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke so you know when to cool down and when to call 999.Prepare for a planned hospital stayπ MembersGet ready for a planned operation or hospital admission: pre-assessment, paperwork, packing, home and work arrangements and planning for going home.Manage repeat prescriptions without running outπ MembersSet up a reliable routine for ordering, collecting and reviewing regular medicines, including using the NHS App, nominated pharmacies and travel plans.Refer yourself for NHS talking therapiesFreeUnderstand how to self-refer for NHS psychological therapy in England, what to expect from assessment and where to get help if things become urgent.Raise a concern or complaint about NHS careπ MembersRaise a problem with NHS care effectively: speak up early, use PALS or local equivalents, make a formal complaint and know when to go to an ombudsman.Support someone through a mental health crisisFreeWhat to do when someone you know is in a mental health crisis: keep safe, get the right urgent help, stay with them and look after yourself afterwards.Quick checklist
- Immediate danger considered first
- Official NHS route used
- Location and medicine list ready
- Changes or worsening reported
- Nation-specific route checked
Common problems
You are unsure whether it is an emergency
NHS advises getting help from 111 if you are unsure whether you need 999. If signs are life-threatening, call 999.
Symptoms worsen while waiting
Follow the callback instructions and contact 111 again if symptoms change; call 999 for signs of a life-threatening illness.
Frequently asked questions
When should I call 999 instead of NHS 111?
Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke, a seizure or someone who is unconscious. Use NHS 111 by phone or online when you need urgent advice but it is not an emergency. If you are unsure and it feels serious, call 999.
Can a pharmacist help instead of a GP?
Pharmacists can give advice on many common minor illnesses and on how to use medicines, often without an appointment. Some pharmacies in England can also offer treatment for certain conditions through NHS services. They will tell you if you need to see a GP or get urgent help.
How can I look after my health when working at a desk all day?
Set up your chair, screen and keyboard so you sit comfortably with the screen at about eye level, and take short breaks to stand and move regularly. Rest your eyes by looking into the distance from time to time. If you have ongoing pain, numbness or eye strain, speak to a pharmacist, GP or optician.
What can I do about feeling stressed all the time?
Regular sleep, physical activity, time outdoors and talking to people you trust can help, as can a short weekly check-in to plan and offload worries. The NHS has free self-help tools for stress and low mood, and you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies in many areas. If stress is affecting daily life, speak to your GP, and in a mental health crisis call NHS 111 or 999 if life is at risk.
Do I need to be registered with a GP to get NHS care?
You can get emergency care and use NHS 111 without being registered, but registering with a GP gives you access to routine care, prescriptions and referrals. Anyone in England can register with a GP practice, and you should not be refused simply because you cannot show proof of address or ID. Register as soon as you move to a new area.
What to do next
Follow the disposition given by the NHS service and seek further help if the condition changes. Do not use this page to delay urgent care.