Important information about the 111 service

The 111 service is very busy over the festive public holiday weekends (22 to 26 December and 30 December to 2 January) and your phone may take longer to be answered.

The following information will help you to get the right care, in the right place and you may not need to call 111.

If you’re unsure what to do about a health condition, please use our symptom checkers first. These have been created by NHS 24 clinicians to provide advice on what to do next.

If your call is related to medicines, prescribed or non-prescribed, our guide to accessing medication can help. Your local pharmacist may also be able to help and, in some circumstances, can issue a small supply until your GP practice reopens. 

Find your nearest pharmacy open over the festive weekends

You should visit NHS inform for dental emergencies.

Some mobile providers disconnect calls due to network capacity demand. If you’re using a mobile phone to phone 111, and your mobile has WiFi Calling functionality, please switch it on. You can make and receive calls and text messages even if there isn’t mobile network coverage. All you need is a phone that supports WiFi Calling and a WiFi connection in Scotland. This will help to prevent your call being disconnected. NHS 24 does not cut off calls.