NHS 111

111 is a free-to-call single non-emergency number medical helpline operating in England, Scotland and Wales. The 111 phone service has replaced the various non-geographic 0845 rate numbers and is part of each country's National Health Service: in England the service is known as NHS 111;^[1] in Scotland, NHS 24;^[2] and in Wales, NHS 111 Wales.^[3]

The transition from NHS Direct (0845 4647) to NHS 111 in England was completed during February 2014^[4] with NHS 24 Scotland (08454 24 24 24) following during April 2014.^[5] NHS Direct Wales started a phased roll-out of a similar 111 service in late 2016^[6] and completed it in March 2022.^[7]

As of June 2018, the 111 number was not in use across Northern Ireland.^[8] The NHS 111 service was extended to Northern Ireland from February 2020, although this is for advice relating to the COVID-19 virus only.^[9] After dialling, callers will be asked to follow prompts to determine what nation they are calling from.^{[citation needed]}

The service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year and is intended for 'urgent but not life-threatening' health issues^[10] and complements the long-established 999 emergency telephone number for more serious matters, although 111 operators in England are able to dispatch ambulances when appropriate using the NHS Pathways triage system.^[11][12]