Our Services

If you think that someone’s life is at risk you should call 999 immediately

999 is for serious illnesses or injuries including:

• SUSPECTED STROKE OR HEART ATTACK
• SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY

The Scottish Ambulance Service and Accident and Emergency departments provide care for people with

• symptoms of serious illness or
• who have been badly injured.

When you call 999 the Scottish Ambulance Service will respond with the most appropriate help for your situation.

999  should only be used for serious illnesses or injuries.

This means that essential treatment is given to those who need it as quickly as possible.

111 Service

The NHS 24 111 service provides urgent health advice out of hours, when your GP practice or dentist is closed. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘unscheduled care services’. This means that the service is there for you, in the out of hours period when other sources of support such as your doctor or dentist are closed. NHS24 deal with the majority of calls during:

• Monday to Thursday, 6.00pm to 8.00am
• 6.00pm on Friday to 8.00am on Monday

People across Scotland can access the service, on landlines and mobile phones free of charge, using a number that is short and easy to remember.

When to phone 111

You should only phone 111 if you’re too ill to wait until your GP practice reopens.

Medical emergencies

If you think that someone’s life is at risk you should phone 999 immediately. The 111 service isn’t suitable for medical emergencies. NHS24 have direct links to the Scottish Ambulance Service, so if you call them and they think that you need an ambulance, they can get you one.

Alternatives to calling

Self-help guide

If you ‘re looking for advice on treating common health problems why not consult self-help guide? You may find an answer to your question here without having to call.

National Services Directory

To find health services near you, visit the National Services Directory on the NHS inform website. You can search for:

• A&Es and minor injuries units
• Dental services
• GP practices
• Health and wellbeing services
• Hospitals
• Opticians
• Pharmacies
• Sexual health clinics

NHS inform

More detailed health and care information can be found through the health information service: NHS inform.

Your local community pharmacy

You might be advised to see your local community pharmacist. They can help with the treatment of many minor ailments and they can also make emergency supplies of certain prescription medicines in certain circumstances.

Medication

NHS 24 can’t prescribe new medicine over the phone and do not deliver medicine to your home. If you’ve run out of medication, your local pharmacist may be able to help you, depending on the type of medication you require. If you’ve run out of methadone or any other substitution therapy then you need to wait until your own GP or the pharmacy (chemist) you normally attend is open again. More information can be found within the ‘accessing medicines’ self-help guide on the NHS inform website.