42 Education & Career
mojatu .com
East Midlands residents encouraged to use NHS
111 service to avoid unnecessary A&E visits
It is estimated that half a million (504,103) people in the East Midlands go to A&E each year who could
have been helped by NHS 111
East Midlands
residents are being
urged to avoid
unnecessary trips to
A&E by getting help
from an enhanced
NHS 111 service,
which now offers
a wider range of
clinical services in
the Midlands than
ever before. This
includes direct
access to advice
from GPs, nurses,
midwives, pharmacists and specialists in mental
health, cancer and child health.
Victoria Omololu shares her experience of using
NHS 111:
“I called NHS 111 when I realised my son had drank
washing up liquid. I knew I needed urgent, professional
advice but knew it wasn’t life threatening enough to
call 999. The call handler asked a series of questions
to assess his state. As a first time mum at that point,
their advice really helped to reassure me and settle my
nerves. They told me to keep any eye and what to do
if his condition worsened. I’d definitely call NHS 111
again if I have any urgent medical concerns.”
NHS 111 is a free service available 365 days a year, 24
hours a day. For further information about NHS 111,
please visit www.nhs.uk/111
Dr Raphael Olaiya, Senior House Officer medical
doctor NHS Nottingham City Hospital said:
“NHS 111 in the Midlands can now offer patients
an even wider range of medical advice direct from
pharmacists, GPs, nurses and mental health specialists
who work hand in hand with call handlers.
“We want to help people understand how NHS
111 can help them and reduce unnecessary trips
to A&E, which will help our hospitals. I know that
patients want high quality clinical advice, close to
their home from trained professionals and this is
what they can get from NHS 111.”
DR OLAIYA SHARES 5 THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT NHS 111
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s recently been enhanced and can now offer clinical
advice, assessment and direction to the most appropriate healthcare service.
Depending on the situation, the NHS 111 team can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist or even a GP,
and can arrange face-to-face appointments if they think you need one.
NHS 111 is staffed by fully trained advisors who can assess if you need an ambulance, and if you do, one will
be sent immediately.
NHS 111 has a confidential interpreter service available in many languages.
If you need a prescription, the service can organise to have it available for pick up at a convenient local
location for you.