Out Of Hours Service

When to use it

• it’s not a 999 emergency
• they think they need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service;
• they don’t think they can wait for an appointment with their GP; or
• they don’t know who to call for medical help.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, people should continue to call 999.
If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, continue to use that number.

How NHS 111 works

NHS 111 will prompt you to answer questions about your symptoms on the NHS 111 website, or if you call 111 a fully trained adviser will ask you questions on the phone. The phone service and website are both open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The website should only be used for advice for those aged 5 or over.

Depending on the situation you will:

• find out what local service can help you;
• be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP;
• get a face-to-face appointment if you need one;
• be told how to get any medicine you need; or
• get self care advice.

Calling NHS 111 in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough and pressing option 2 when prompted for the mental health service will put you through to our dedicated Mental Health First Response Service. This service is open 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and provides access to mental health care, advice, support and treatment. 

You should use 111 if:

• It’s not a 999 emergency.
• You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service but you’re not sure.
• You don’t think you can wait for an appointment with your GP.
• You don’t know who to call for medical help
• You are experiencing a mental health crisis.

If an ambulance is required, they will dispatch one immediately – just as if you had originally dialed 999.

You can also call 111 to access the GP out of hours service, when your GP practice is closed (in the evenings and at weekends).

Last update 2020