NHS urge the public to use online services as services face post-Christmas pressure
NHS England's North West Regional Medical Director, Dr Michael Gregory, urges the public to use online services like www.111.nhs.uk for non-emergency health needs to alleviate pressure on 111 phone lines, GP practices, and A&E departments during the busy post-Christmas period. The online service offers the same advice as phone services but is quicker. Emergency cases should still call 999 or visit A&E.
North West Health Chief Urges Public to Use 111 Online Service as Post-Holiday Surge Hits NHS
The NHS in the North West is experiencing unprecedented demand following the festive period, with 111 phone services, GP practices and A&E departments facing exceptionally high numbers of patients seeking care.
Dr Michael Gregory, NHS England North West Regional Medical Director, is urging people with internet access to use www.111.nhs.uk for urgent health advice rather than calling the overwhelmed phone service. The online platform mirrors the 111 phone service functionality, offering users options including call-backs from trained clinicians, direct A&E appointments, or immediate medical guidance.
“The period immediately after Christmas and New Year is an extremely busy time for our 111 health advisors and clinicians, staff working in GP practices and our doctors and nurses and other health professionals working in our A&Es,” Dr Gregory said. “We were expecting it to be busy but we know that callers are waiting longer to get through on the phone, and visits to A&Es are waiting longer than we would like.”
The online service, which cannot be used for children under five, helps direct patients to appropriate care quickly while keeping emergency services available for the most critical cases. For life-threatening emergencies including heart attacks, strokes, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, seizures or sudden swelling, people should still call 999 or attend A&E directly.
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