--- title: "999, 111, GP or pharmacy? | HealthAnswers" description: "A UK decision helper for 999, NHS 111, A&E, GP, pharmacist or self-care. Not a diagnosis. Works without JavaScript." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/health-tools/when-to-get-help/ robots: noindex --- # 999, 111, GP or pharmacy? | HealthAnswers Interactive tool Use this if you are unsure whether to call 999, use NHS 111, see a GP, speak to a pharmacist, or self-care. It is general UK guidance, not a diagnosis. If you think life is at risk, skip the questions and call 999. Call 999 for life-threatening symptoms. Use NHS 111 when you need urgent help and are not sure where to go. See a GP for problems that can wait for an appointment. Use a pharmacist for many minor illnesses and medicine questions. JavaScript is off — use the table below. It is the same advice the tool would give. ## Where should I go — 999, 111, GP or pharmacy? Match the urgency, not the building. 999 is for immediate danger to life. NHS 111 is for urgent uncertainty. A GP is for diagnosis and ongoing care. A pharmacist is often the right first stop for minor illness. A&E is not a faster GP. | Service | Use it for | Skip it when | | --- | --- | --- | | 999 | Life-threatening emergency | The problem can safely wait for 111 or a GP | | NHS 111 | Urgent help; you are unsure where to go | It is clearly a 999 emergency, or a routine GP issue | | GP | Diagnosis, long-term conditions, referrals | Life is at risk now | | Pharmacist | Minor illness, medicines, and pharmacy schemes (Pharmacy First in England; different names in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) | Red-flag symptoms or a problem that needs examination beyond pharmacy | Full decision guide: [Pharmacy, GP, NHS 111 or A&E?](https://healthanswers.co.uk/guides/pharmacy-gp-111-or-ae/) Compare GPhC-registered pharmacies on [Pick My Pharmacy](https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/). ## Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 111 and pharmacy schemes are run by each UK nation. Use the service where you are, not an England pathway copied from a search result. ### Urgent advice (111) - England: Call 111 or use 111.nhs.uk for urgent advice that is not a 999 emergency. [NHS 111 online](https://111.nhs.uk/) - Scotland: NHS 24 runs 111. Use it when you need urgent care and your GP, pharmacy or dentist is closed, or you think you need A&E but it is not life-threatening. [NHS 24 — when to phone 111](https://www.nhs24.scot/111/) - Wales: NHS 111 Wales provides urgent advice by phone and online. [NHS 111 Wales](https://111.wales.nhs.uk/) - Northern Ireland: There is no general 111 service. Use your GP surgery’s out-of-hours number, listed on nidirect. [nidirect — GP out of hours](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/gp-out-hours-services) ### Community pharmacy - England: Pharmacy First can assess selected common conditions at some community pharmacies, including uncomplicated UTI in eligible women, sore throat, sinusitis, earache, impetigo, shingles and infected insect bites. Ask — not every pharmacy offers every pathway. - Scotland: NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is available if you live in Scotland or are registered with a Scottish GP. A community pharmacy can advise and often treat many minor illnesses without a GP appointment. - Wales: The Common Ailments Service lets many community pharmacies advise and treat a wider list of minor illnesses. Ask what your local pharmacy can do. - Northern Ireland: Pharmacy First NI covers selected everyday conditions. Ask the pharmacist what is available locally rather than assuming an England pathway applies. Compare GPhC-registered pharmacies, including NHS services such as Pharmacy First, on [Pick My Pharmacy](https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/). ## Common questions Can this tool diagnose me? No. It points you to the right type of NHS service based on urgency. It cannot tell you what is causing your symptoms. What if I am still unsure? Use NHS 111 (phone or 111.nhs.uk). That is what 111 is for: urgent uncertainty that is not clearly a 999 emergency. Should I drive to A&E in an emergency? No. Call 999. Ambulance crews can start treatment on the way. Do not drive yourself during a life-threatening emergency.