If you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency and you live in either Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea or Westminster, you can now call 111.

The new service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As a guideline, the NHS says you can use the service if:

• You need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency.
• You think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service.
• You don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call.
• You need health information or reassurance about what to do next.

You will be asked some questions to assess your symptoms, given advice and directed to the local service that can help you best—this could be A&E, an Urgent Care Centre, an out-of-hours GP, walk-in centre, emergency dentist or a late opening chemist.

Dr Tim Ladbrooke, Medical Director at the London Central & West Unscheduled Care Collaborative, which is providing the service, says: " When you call 111, you will be assessed straightaway. If it is an emergency, an ambulance will be despatched immediately without the need for any further assessment.

" For any other health problems, the NHS 111 call advisers will be able to direct you to the service that is best able to meet your needs. For minor illnesses and injuries, the 111 service will be able to provide appropriate home management advice."

If you do need an ambulance, one will be sent just as quickly as if you had dialled 999.  For less urgent health needs, you should still contact your GP or local pharmacist in the normal way.

Calls to 111 are free, including from mobiles. You can find more information.

July 23, 2012