Urgent Care Guidance Amid Rising Hospital Pressures
Health officials are pressing the public to utilise NHS 111 for urgent, non-emergency medical assistance as hospitals confront escalating demands from seasonal illnesses, with flu hospitalisations soaring dramatically by over fifty per cent. The NHS is urging people to contact 111 if they need to (Getty Images)
- By Kieran Isgin
- 10:21, 14 Dec 2025
The NHS has called on individuals across the UK to adhere to a few simple guidelines when seeking ‘urgent medical help.’ The health service provides a myriad of options designed to ensure that individuals receive appropriate care.
It is crucial to remember that the general public is typically advised not to visit A&E or call 999 for issues that do not constitute emergencies.
This guidance is particularly vital as various hospitals and ambulance services nationwide experience mounting stress due to an upsurge in winter-related ailments.
Indeed, flu-related hospitalisations alone have escalated by over fifty per cent in just one week. NHS leaders have warned that this sharp increase shows no signs of abating in the immediate future.
In a posting on X, the NHS stated: “If you require urgent medical assistance but are uncertain where to go, please utilise NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the appropriate service for your needs. You can call, visit online, or employ the NHS App.”
Support Available Through NHS 111
When you get in touch with NHS 111, you will initially be asked about your identity, location, the reason for your call, and whether the query concerns you or someone else.
Further questions will explore your specific symptoms. Based on your responses, a health adviser may take one of several actions:
- Refer you to a different healthcare professional (such as a GP or dentist)
- Coordinate for a nurse to return your call
- Arrange a visit to an out-of-hours service during evenings and weekends
- Direct you to an urgent care service
- Dispatch an ambulance if necessary
- Provide self-care guidance for at-home management
It is essential to note that NHS guidelines stress the use of A&E and 999 if you believe you or someone nearby is facing a serious injury or a life-threatening emergency, which may include severe bleeding, seizures, or choking.
Additional details on the array of services offered by the NHS are available for those seeking further information.
Source link: Mirror.co.uk.
